Sarmatian Cavalry

[John Conyard]

Yes, finding the time to post up on the forum can be tough. I seem to be in a hell of making things 18 hours a day, with riding thrown in.

But over tea I considered how I would set about recreating a 1st Sarmatian horseman. My first stop would be T. Sulimirski "The Sarmatians", just because it has so much in it. I suspect boots and soft kit would not be too hard. There seem to be eastern europeans turning out shoes with turned up soles by the gross for around £60 per pair.

I am aware of the old RQP Mongol buckle set. I even own a set.

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But I would make a simple buckle in bone. A simple twist wire "celtic" brooch would be good for my cloak. Glass beads would be from from Tillerman. Alanus's idea about the making the akinakes seems sound. For a sword I would grind a blade myself and handle it, or just buy a suitable blade. I hate grinding blades. I would propably go for a "Skythian" type bow, but understand why you would want lathes attached. I would try and use birch bark on the bow and quiver, maybe scabbard as well. I've just done a later sword scabbard covered in bark.

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Flexible scale or mail armour seems a good choice. A helmet seems more tricky. I could try and do something with the Depeeka horn spagenhelm, but I have never seen one in real life. A captured Roman/celtic example seems too much of a cheat. Saddles and kontos are the day job.

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The helmet does seem to be the problem.