Subarmalis in the literary sources

[M. CVRIVS ALEXANDER]

As far as I know the "subarmalis" appear in no text as element of armament.
It appears - it seems to me - only in two texts without relation with the very armor.

Apparently, "subarmalis" does appear in the sources as a weapon. According to R. S. O. Tomlin, "Roman Manuscripts from Carlisle: The Ink-Written Tablets," Britannia 29 (1998): 31-84, excavations of Roman fort at Carlisle unearthed a report dated prior to A.D. 105 and written by the decurion Docilis to his commanding officer, the prefect Augurinus. The decurion reported the names of the riders in his turma, who were missing their lanciam pugnatoram and/or their subarmales duas:

'Docilis to Augurinus his prefect, greetings. As you ordered, we have attached below all the names of lancers who were missing lances, either who did not have fighting lances, or who (did not have) the smaller subarmales, or who (did not have) regulation swords. Troop of Genialis senior: Verecundus, (one) fighting lance and two subarmales. Troop of Albinus [whole page lost. Troop of name]: Docca, two subarmales. Troop of Docilis: Pastor, two subarmales; Felicio, (one) fighting lance. Troop of Sollemnis: [...]atus, (one) fighting lance and two subarmales. Troop of Mansuetus: [ ]s, (one) fighting lance; Victorinus (?)son of [. ..]ra, (one) fighting lance. Troop of Martialis: [. . .]so, (one) fighting lance. Troop of Genialis: Festus, two subarmales; Maior, two subarmales; [name], [two] subarmales; [name] (one) fighting lance. Troop of Victor: [. . .]. (2nd hand) May you fare well, Augurinus, with your family, (my) lord.'

The author suggests that the riders of the ala were each armed with a 'fighting lance' and two smaller subarmales, i.e., javelins, as well as the 'regulation' sword, which accords to the report of Josephus in BJ 3.96: "The cavalry have a long sword on their right side, a long pike in one hand, a shield slanted across the horse's flank, and in a quiver slung alongside three or more javelins, broad-pointed and as big as spears."

In a commentary, the author further points out that the equivalent Greek phrase υπο μαλης, "under the arm-pit" suggests using of a concealed weapon, and, since the Latin subarmalis is less restrictive (arm is less restrictive than arm-pit), subarmalis can be taken as a weapon easily carried under the arm. That makes me think whether in the phrase "Praetorianos cum subarmalibus inermes sibi iussit occurere" the subarmales can actually be referring to weapons? That is, I am wondering wether the phrase could be interpreted as "he ordered the Praetorians to appear before him not armed with subarmales," or, in other words, "not armed with concealed weapons" or "not armed with weapons carried under arms" - swords or daggers.