More on Tinning (Moron Tinning?)

[Anonymous]

Ave,<br>
<br>
Crispvs,<br>
<br>
Sooo, the deepeeka pugio I've had on backorder for a few months will not be worth the wait? Damnation! Maybe I'll have to try to make one... Re: the fifteen bucker- I realize the blade is hopeless (well- it's hopless over all- but this is stopgap), would it improve matter to fill in the "engraving" with an enamel paint and level out the surface a bit?<br>
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If I try to make one, the later framed leather sheath type, can you suggest the best source to copy?<br>
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Caius Fabius,<br>
I live in Los Angeles CA, and it costs $10.00 to tin a patera. I put a nice thick layer, so it will last quite a while, and I run it all the way up to the very edge of the bowl. I put a thinner coat on the top of the lip, because of the method of application. As with any tin surface, hard scrubbing with steel wool, or scotch bright will eventually remove it. That's why cookpots used be sent to the tinner once a year or so. Our level of use should last a lot longer! For the deepeeka's, the rivet holes sometimes leak, so I plug the backside with wax for the process. E-mail me privately if you want to disuss more<br>
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Vale, Quintus Florentius<br>
LEGVIVICPF<br>
www.florentius.com <p></p><i></i>

[Crispvs]

Florentius,<br>
If you want to try making a frame type sheath yourself I would recommend the Exeter sheath. I am not able to post images but I can e-mail you pictures and further details of it if you are interested. If you are re-enaacting a second century unit however, I would be hesitant to include a dagger in your kit. Although the is evidence for daggers in the second century AD, the evidence for them is extremely sparse and it seems likely that they were not standard issue. Morover, evidence from contexts dating to the AD70s suggests that daggers, both old and new, were systematically discarded at this time and they are extremely rare finds after this period, until they reappear in the third century in a larger form with sheaths constructed stightly differently to earlier models, making it possible that daggers were re-introduced into the army from outside after a period of absence. I do not remember having seen any late first - second century style belt plates in museums or illustrations which showed anything resembling the 'frogs' which are so common amongst earlier first century belt equipment either. Incidentally, looking at your website it looks as if you are wearing a mid first century style belt. Do you have access to second century style plates? The only person I know of who produces any is Holger Ratsdorf but there may be other manufacturers out there.<br>
<br>
Crispvs <p></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

Ave Crispvs,<br>
<br>
Well shucks, I know about the "shouldn't really be carrying a pugio" thing, but I like 'em, and it's true my belt is decidedly 1st century. It is my first one, and was made with the most easily available parts (how's that for a whine?).<br>
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We are actually working on getting 2 different styles of openwork 2nd cent. beltplates made, copied from real ones curtesy of our Optio Flavius. I'll make a new belt when I get those, in all likelyhood pugio free. I know it is better to represent the typical rather than the exception.<br>
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On the pugio front however I still would like to try and make one and would be very grateful for any pictures you could e-mail me. Click on my name to get my address.<br>
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Thanks in advance<br>
Vale, Qvintvs Florentivs<br>
LEGVIVICPF <p></p><i></i>