Making Pteruges (or at least trying to make Pteruges!)

[Magnus]

sorry.
Wrong.
Leather facing on shields has a positive result with sharp weapons as well;please reread my post.

I think you've digressed to the point where you've forgoten what we're talking about, and I quote "I could never understand why everyone believes that roman leather shield covers are removed before fighting ? Makes far more sense to leave them on. "
Are you then making a blanket statement that shield covers are the same as shield facing?

I very well read your post John, but I simply haven't strayed off topic. I wasn't talking about leather facing, we're talking about shield covers (refer to your first post). The leather shield covers were not used in combat...if you can show me evidence that they were, fine. Leather as a shield facing? Why not! Rawhide was used, and certainly on the edge.

You might have seen a documentary on the discovery channel where they were testing shields vs period thrown weapons. A friend of mine (in fact he bought my house off me) was the chap making the shields. leather covered shields are stronger (because of the binding effect of the leather) but the leather provides a surprising level of protection.

I'm sure it did, as did Linen! But we're not talking about shield facings, are we? The differences between facing a shield and leather and straping an unglued, soft oiled leather cover over it are quite different.

Have I missed something here ?

I think so. You brought up shield covers, then went on to shield facing. I never disagreed that a leather faced shield has great defensive capabilities. But you seem to think that keeping a shield cover on during combat was a fantastic idea. There is also a reference to soldiers being ambushed (again during Caesar's era I beleive) and not having time to take their covers off their scuta. Clearly indicating that this was normal practice.

Hope that clears it up for you.