Pugio Sheath Shapes

[Crispvs]

Following on from the messages I have been exchanging with a number of people about reconstructing pugio sheaths I am posting up a few pictures of reconstructed and surviving sheaths to illustrate the correct shapes and positioning of suspension rings.

First up are a couple of very good reconstructions of type 'B' sheaths by Eric Koenig of Aurificina Treverica. Note the way the metal front plates are extended out into lugs at the attachment points for the suspension rings, the shape of the type 'B' suspnsion rings (on the two left hand examples) and the shape and size of the wooden sheaths themselves.





Next is a surviving type 'B' sheath from Xanten. Note the Type 'B' suspension ring which is still associated with it. Sorry about the angle of the photo. Unfortunately, whist I have a number of pictures of reasonably undamaged type 'B' sheath plates, this is the best I have in electronic format. If I remember rightly it came from the Exploratio site.

[Magnus]

Crispvs, are there any reconstructions of plainer, "regular joe" soldier's pugio scabbards?

[Crispvs]

Next up we have type 'A' sheaths. That is, those with both a front and back plate made of metal.

Again, first up we have a nice reconstruction of a type 'A' sheath by Erik Koenig. Note that the suspension rings are true rings and that they are held on by suspension loops rather than the hinges exhibited by type 'B' sheaths.



Next up is the remains of a type 'A' sheath from Cetina. This is very similar to the sheath from Kempton which has been badly misinterpreted by Deepeeka to produce their sheath with inaccurate applied brass plates. Applied plates such as the Deepeeka example features are unknown from actual surviving examples.



Next up is the well known (and frequently wrongly reconstructed) sheath from Leuwen (to the upper left of the picture). As far as I am aware this is the only known example of a copper-allow Type 'A' sheath. The decorative lines are not embossed but are in fact cast pearled strips which have been soldered on. Photo courtesy of Exploratio.

[Crispvs]

Next up we have another type 'A' sheath, in this case missing its back plate and two of its supension loops and rings, but which shows the usual layout of the inlaid decoration. Note the hole where a rivet originally went through the terminal expansion. I know of no examples of type 'A' sheaths with this portion surviving where the terminal expansion does not feature a rivet or decorative boss.



Lastly we have Frame type sheaths

The first picture is an attempt to reconstruct a sheath from Titelberg. In fact, the titelberg sheath was actually made of iron not brass and the suspension loop were all made either by extending the metal of the cross hangers around to the front and riveting them in place or by riveting the ends of a small strip of iron to both sides. The top left suspension loop has been incorrectly formed and there should be a suspension ring running through it. There should also be a lower left suspension ring and a rivet through the terminal expansion.



Next up is a good reconstruction of another iron frame type sheath from Exeter by David Simm. For some reason Dr Simm has omitted the suspension rings from his reconstruction. Please try to ignore the inaccurate handle which has been put on the dagger in the same picture.

[Crispvs]

Finally we have a photograph of the original sheath from Exeter. This is iron and a surviving piece of wood can be seen in the lower part of the surviving frame at the point where the side gutters meet. Note also the remains of a suspension ring adhering to the right upper suspension loop. This image was provided to me by Mike Bishop and lightened for me by Peronis.



Crispvs

[Crispvs]

Magnus,

I would consider all of the reconstructions shown to be "regular joe" sheaths. Dagger sheaths were an area where Roman soldiers seem to have loved to show off elaborate finery. I suspect that the dagger sheaths of the higher ranks might have featured more expensive materials in their decoration, such as gold and ivory, rather than fancier patterns.

I suspect however that the frame type sheaths may be the sort of thing you are asking about.

Incidentally, I seem to recall that you were trying to reconstruct a type 'B' sheath a couple of years ago. What became of that project? If it hit the rails due to the problem of doing the decoration on the front plate, send me a PM. I may be able to help.

Crispvs

[Praefectusclassis]

You'll find some more photos - among them a clearer one of the Xanten pugio - in the resources gallery on the main site. I think I still have more photos lying around, but haven't gotten around to uploading them.

[Titus Martius]

Excellent work Crispvs! I very appreciate your tips for improving Deepeeka pugio. I will start making of new shape (type "B") later on.

Many thanks, all the best.

[Cornelius Quintus]

Ave Crispvs,

great work!

I tool your comments about the off-the shelf Titelberg replica and made some virtual improvement. Just a few changes without re-designing the whole pugio. Perhaps also an idea for a quick overhaul by the owner.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115 ... risonM.jpg

Primvs Paulvs suggested tinning the brass parts, to achieve a silvery finish. I made a rough impression of that appearance on the last pic in the row.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

What time frame are the type A pugios Crispus?

Regards

[cacrispvs]

Heiko,

Any chance of getting a larger version of that series of diagrams/photos? That one you posted is a little hard for my failing eyes to read.. :roll:

I have one of those, and am in the process of reworking it after a ring failure.

[Tarbicus]

after a ring failure.

Sounds very nasty hock:

[Cornelius Quintus]

Heiko,
Any chance of getting a larger version of that series of diagrams/photos? That one you posted is a little hard for my failing eyes to read.. :roll:

Ave Chris,

Here's another try which should work better:

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115 ... isonR1.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115 ... isonR2.jpg

My old onlinepictures account was closed (when the provider stopped his service due to abuse by spammers... ) and the new photobucket account seems to shink pics automatically to a maximum size of 800 x 600…

So if anyone needs a larger version, feel free to send a PM and I'll send it by e-mail

[cacrispvs]

cacrispvs wrote:
after a ring failure.

Sounds very nasty hock:
_________________
Cheers,
TARBICvS/Jim Bowers

And quite painful!

[Matthew Amt]

Nice stuff, Crispus, thanks for posting! If it will help, here is a reconstruction I did of the Exeter scabbard:

http://www.larp.com/legioxx/Morrowpug2.jpg

Simms' is a little neater than mine, but I think it gets the idea across. The Exeter report says there's a little iron triangle at the bottom front, but not at the back, so that's how I did it. I'd love to know how Simms connected the sides to the disc at the bottom, that was really a pain...

I've also done a couple very plain Type A scabbards, like this:

http://www.larp.com/legioxx/pugscab2.jpg

Some crappy metalwork down at the bottom, and I guess we need to add a rivet or rosette at the tip, yes? Anyway, this is all on the Legio XX Pugio page,

http://www.larp.com/legioxx/pugio.html

Valete,

Matthew