06-30-2007, 04:23 PM
150+ segs and the 10's of thousands of man hours of use we've put them through does not make me "historicaly right" but it gives me a unique perspective. Based on that, accumulated stress on fittings, attachment points and straps becomes "in your face" evident.
The breast plates in the pic do slightly cross, but that will be lessened when the subarmalis is added. The breast plate is longer, (also bottom, middle and top back plates, but then the wearer is long (up and over the shoulder measurement).. 24", average guy is 21", smaller guys 19". If the plates were shorter the upper most torso plate would be in his armpit and he would not be able to let his arms hang.
The width of the breastplate is somewhat dictated by the width of the midcollar plate and then the width of his chest. Width of the chest, width of the back AND diameter of the chest are factors in makng the seg fit better.
The width of the midcollar plate is dictated by the wearer's shoulder measurements. Broad shoulders get a wider plate, narrow shoulders get a narrow plate.
My son's seg is much closer to the actual find measurements and when that one is complete and on him I'll post those pics.
The factors in "squareness" are caused by the angles of the top, mid and breast collar plates where they overlap; the angle at which the lobate hinge is attached between the mid and top back plates; and the twist in the mid collar plate. Very subtle adjustments at any point cause the breastplate to ride square.
Add in a subarmalis made to fit and everything lines up square.
The same adjustments made to one man's shoulder plates will cause the shoulder elements to ride very differently on another man's shoulders
We do not know the measurements of the men the Corbridge hoard plates were made for. We know that segs must fit to maximize comfort, protection and functionality. The armor, when made to those factors, is comfortable to wear, work in and fight in... thus more durable.
When straps are under stress such as when the buckles and straps do not line up they tend to break sooner or stretch more.
Side note: We've often joked that the Corbridge hoard was left behind because those sections sat in the armorer's shop for months and months, unused because being small they fit very few soldiers stationed there. I have a small pile of unused small seg sections that fit no one, but we keep them around becasue, who knows, someday they might!
Bishops prefers a squarer fit and my experience backs that theory.
The breast plates in the pic do slightly cross, but that will be lessened when the subarmalis is added. The breast plate is longer, (also bottom, middle and top back plates, but then the wearer is long (up and over the shoulder measurement).. 24", average guy is 21", smaller guys 19". If the plates were shorter the upper most torso plate would be in his armpit and he would not be able to let his arms hang.
The width of the breastplate is somewhat dictated by the width of the midcollar plate and then the width of his chest. Width of the chest, width of the back AND diameter of the chest are factors in makng the seg fit better.
The width of the midcollar plate is dictated by the wearer's shoulder measurements. Broad shoulders get a wider plate, narrow shoulders get a narrow plate.
My son's seg is much closer to the actual find measurements and when that one is complete and on him I'll post those pics.
The factors in "squareness" are caused by the angles of the top, mid and breast collar plates where they overlap; the angle at which the lobate hinge is attached between the mid and top back plates; and the twist in the mid collar plate. Very subtle adjustments at any point cause the breastplate to ride square.
Add in a subarmalis made to fit and everything lines up square.
The same adjustments made to one man's shoulder plates will cause the shoulder elements to ride very differently on another man's shoulders
We do not know the measurements of the men the Corbridge hoard plates were made for. We know that segs must fit to maximize comfort, protection and functionality. The armor, when made to those factors, is comfortable to wear, work in and fight in... thus more durable.
When straps are under stress such as when the buckles and straps do not line up they tend to break sooner or stretch more.
Side note: We've often joked that the Corbridge hoard was left behind because those sections sat in the armorer's shop for months and months, unused because being small they fit very few soldiers stationed there. I have a small pile of unused small seg sections that fit no one, but we keep them around becasue, who knows, someday they might!
Bishops prefers a squarer fit and my experience backs that theory.
Hibernicus
LEGIO IX HISPANA, USA
You cannot dig ditches in a toga!
[url:194jujcw]http://www.legio-ix-hispana.org[/url]
A nationwide club with chapters across N America
LEGIO IX HISPANA, USA
You cannot dig ditches in a toga!
[url:194jujcw]http://www.legio-ix-hispana.org[/url]
A nationwide club with chapters across N America
