A few questions from a beginner

[Robert Vermaat]

Well it has to do with the state. Either the state issued wealthy equipment to it's soldiers or soldiers themselves further enhanced their gear. In both cases this would reflect on the wealth of the state. The original question was whether ordinary soldiers had wealthy gear or not and I think the implication is that they did.

The ridge helmets too are another item which were once described as cheap mass produced helmets for the poor late Roman infantryman. Do you still ascribe to this theory?

Agreed - I think all soldiers could own wealthy gear. My point was only that they took better care of it (perhaps - I would!)

Ridge helmets - cheap mass produced - well, not so much as cheap (yes but not 'bad') and fast (to replace lost stocks) and I think in centralised production centres rather than the legionary fabricae? It's still my conviction that the ridge helmets were the answer to the civil wars and the loss in equipment of the 3rd c.