tinning on pugio frogs and buckles

[Marcus Mummius]

Salve omnes,

I was wondering if pugio frogs and buckles were tinned, were they tinned on both sides?

Thanks in advance,
Vale,

[Matt Lukes]

While I haven't seen buckles and frogs specificially, the bunch of other silvered bits I have (pendants, etc.) are only done on the front, and I'd doubt this would be any different for other components either. The Romans seemed to be very pragmatic with respect to this stuff- looks nice on the side you see, but as long as it works, it's not always so nice where it's not seen. And when you consider that silver is a precious metal, I'd think a minimum would be used whenever possible.

[Marcus Mummius]

That confirms what I was thinking, thanks Matt!

[Crispvs]

I am not sure what you mean by 'buckles'. Do you mean belt buckles or are you referring to type 'B' suspension rings (which resemble, but are not, buckles)?

If you mean belt buckles, these were certainly commonly tinned and I would be surprised if they were not sometimes silvered, and I think the same would apply to frogs. I suspect that suspension rings may not have been silvered though. I say this based on the evidence of the Velson sheath, whose upper suspension rings were made of iron whilst the lower suspension rings were made of silver. As the upper suspension rings were the ones used, I think silver would have worn away far too quicly for it to have seemed worth silvering them. They would, afeter all, be subjuct to almost constant rubbing and friction.

Crispvs

[Marcus Mummius]

I was talking about belt buckles :wink: