Iron Helmet Cheek Pieces

[Sassanid]

I am not sure the terminology I am about use here is correct, but here goes. Is is it credible that an iron helmet cheek piece could have an <em>embossed</em> picture or pattern put on it using dots. I have seen it on a couple of cheek pieces found here in the UK, but they were made of copper alloy.<br>
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Hope someone can help, before I make an expensive mistake, best regards,<br>
<br>
Andrew <p></p><i></i>

[Mithras]

Andrew, is the famous Arbeia cheekpiece bronze? I always thought that it was iron? <p></p><i></i>

[Sassanid]

Mithras,<br>
<br>
Yes, it is indeed bronze. Everything I have seen so far with incised and pounced designs on are (well original pieces anyway*). Often though they are tinned, presumably for contrast purposes, and this may give the impression that they are made of iron. A good example of this is the Arbeia umbo, which was found with the mentioned cheekpiece on the edge of the Tyne.<br>
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That said, I see no reason why it could not be done on iron, and it would be great to have such a pattern on my cheekpieces. They will be the same shape as the Arbeia one, but made of iron. The armourer seems quite keen to have ago, and I think it would be a wonderful touch. But would it be feasible?<br>
<br>
Best wishes,<br>
<br>
Andrew<br>
<br>
*There is a pounced steel umbo at Quinta. Have you seen it?<br>
<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=sassanid@romanarmytalk>Sassanid</A> at: 11/30/04 10:01 am<br></i>