Handmade Baldric Suggestions

[rszebras]

I'm going to give a try at making my own baldric because it looks pretty straight forward -- even for a novice like me. Anyway, I was looking at two different options for the leather. A natural cowhide strip like this: http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/prod ... er=4524-00 or a latigo strip like this: http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/prod ... er=4755-00

Any feedback? They are probably both easy to work with. I guess I would only need to apply neatsfoot oil to the cowhide to complete the project.

Randy Sampson

[Magnus]

I'd stick with the veggy tanned leather. Your links didn't open up for me...but just make sure it's not chrome tanned. Add some neatsfoot oil and you're set to go!

[Hibernicus]

Or instead of neatsfoot use a nut oil or tallow

[rszebras]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll go with the natural cowhide strip instead of the latigo. Once I'm at the Tandy store I'll make a decision on the width. I've read on these forums that others use anywhere from 1/2" to 1" widths for the baldric. I guess if I go for the wider width I'll have to narrow the width to go through the suspension rings on the scabbard? Is that what others do?

Here is the baldric that I'm replacing for this sword that was recommended on the Legio XX Online Handbook. As noted there, the baldric is a little short. http://www.larp.com/legioxx/sdk1171a.jpg

Randy Sampson

[Magnus]

Or instead of neatsfoot use a nut oil or tallow

We dont' want to hear about your nut oil Hib. hock:

Randy, yeah, I taper the leather where it has to feed through the suspension loops...cut divets out of the leather strap on each side of it...Ahem, kind of the shape of a maxi-pad. With the wide ends continuing on as part of the strap, except for one end which will be short. That short end I sew to the longer part as it wraps around the suspension loop.

If that makes no sense (and it may not since it's 4:35 am and it's been a looooong night), I'll take a picture of mine and show ya.

[Tarbicus]

You should check out Jorge's idea for attaching the baldric to the gladius:
http://armillum.com/tienda/index.php?ma ... cts_id=474

Pretty ingenious as far as I'm concerned, and pretty viable.

[Caballo]

Interesting- thanks, Jim.

The mushroom appproach was actually used to attach later Roman swords- with a mushroom either side of the spatha- and swords have been found in Vimose with the baldric and mushrooms in situ. There is a great reconstruction drawing in Miks IIRC.

Do Armillum sell the mushrooms separately? Would save me bashing away on copper rivets!

Cheers

[jvrjenivs]

You should check out Jorge's idea for attaching the baldric to the gladius:
http://armillum.com/tienda/index.php?ma ... cts_id=474

Pretty ingenious as far as I'm concerned, and pretty viable.

Yeah, and detachable, very nice method.

[Magnus]

I'm doing that with my scutum strap...didn't think to do it on my baldric! Great idea!

[PhilusEstilius]

Tho Jorge's idea of the baldric fixing is rather neat I still think that NO Roman re-enacting group has yet got the baldric correct. There are four rings on a sword scabbard and armourers put them there for a very good reason. What has been accepted todate is the misconception that has been created by the ESG re-enactors for too long. We are told that the sword was worn high on the right side, however everyone goes ahead to put on a split strap which goes to the top and bottom rear rings. Then they put their waistbelt thro the V strap and wear the sword low on the hip like a western gunslinger. The shoulder strap only went from top ring to top ring, then another independant strap went from a bottom ring with a hook on it which went onto a ring on the mans waist belt. When we look at an almost complete set of belt plates found at Chichester and indeed others found on the continent we find they have a plate with a ring on it. With this method of fixing when a soldier bends down to pick up his grounded Pilum or draws his sword the scabbard does not go anywhere, there is the other advantage that the soldier can sit down without the sword pulled tight against his hip so why these beltplates with rings on them ?

[Marcus Mummius]

Can you post a picture of such a beltplete with a ring on it, please?

Vale,

[PhilusEstilius]

I have to say sorry at the moment have not got situation to put out pics, will try to get sorted on that situation.

[M. Demetrius]

Or instead of neatsfoot

Why are you opposed to neatsfoot oil?

[Peroni]

Can you post a picture of such a beltplete with a ring on it, please?

Yes, I'd like to see those as well! or any sculptural references etc to the sword being attached in this fashion.

Looking at the metopes of the Tropeum Traiani the swords are definately worn high under the arm. Even with the scabbard throat plate shown directly beneath the mans' armpit! I'd like to see a strap connecting to a belt at that height!

[PhilusEstilius]

Adrian. I have myself looked at many Roman monuments without finding this situation, however I have also never come across a baldric on any moument that shows a split strap with a waistbelt going thro it putting the sword down on the hip.