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Side fastenings on the thorax.
#1
I have been considering the side fastening system on a "typical" copper alloy thorax, namely hinges secured by pins, with ties secured to rings on the breast and back plate. If as a cavalryman, I have hinges secured by pins on both sides, the armour will be made to fit me perfectly. But there will be no movement within it, making riding difficult, and if I fall off the horse the hinges may break upon impact. Plus I cannot put on any weight, or my armour will not fit me.

But if one or both sides are tied using rings and no hinges are used there will be some movement within the armour, and there are no hinges to break or strain if I fall off. There are of course many Italian examples with rings and no hinges, which would also have the advantage in that they could fit more than one person. So my questions are, did cavalry use just one side hinge to give "stiffness" holding the breast and back in place, and just tie the other side to ensure movement within the armour? And are there any existing armours, hopefully identifiable as cavalry armours, with hinges just on one side of the thorax. And finally would people say that most cavalry armours have rings but no hinges?

Thank you.
John Conyard

York

A member of Comitatus Late Roman
Reconstruction Group

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.comitatus.net">http://www.comitatus.net
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.historicalinterpretations.net">http://www.historicalinterpretations.net
<a class="postlink" href="http://lateantiquearchaeology.wordpress.com">http://lateantiquearchaeology.wordpress.com
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#2
John
I think you are talking yourself into your preference
and there is nothing wrong with that
however
I would define a horseman's cuirass as one of the shorter cut off at or below the bellybutton type harnesses
not one that travels further at the abdomen and making it definitely difficult to bend forward.
Nor do I classify the "fatmans armour" that Connolly ascribed to cavalry for the same reason.
So
Please sir
refine your definition of a horseman's bronze corselet!!
regards
Richard
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#3
Hi Richard, thank you for the response, but I think we can take your clarrifications as "read". Yes, we can identify a cavalry thorax as being short, or dare I suggest slightly flared out at the base.

But I am looking for evidence of such armours with a specific fastening system to allow a certain flexibility.

i) Hopefully either just hinges down one side with loops on the other. I cannot find such a copper alloy thorax but would love somebody to show me one. Of corse this mirrors a typical tube and yoke, stiff down one side and fastened at the other.

ii) Suggesting cavalry had hinges but only used then on one side, utilising their ties on the other side. Opinions please.

iii) Asking if the majority of identify cavalry armours, amittedly Italian, just had ties and no hinges. I am researching this myself but would like others opinions.

Having cast my bread on the waters, all other responses will be appreciated.
John Conyard

York

A member of Comitatus Late Roman
Reconstruction Group

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.comitatus.net">http://www.comitatus.net
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.historicalinterpretations.net">http://www.historicalinterpretations.net
<a class="postlink" href="http://lateantiquearchaeology.wordpress.com">http://lateantiquearchaeology.wordpress.com
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