Of Era Gauntlets?

[Titus Juventius Tertius]

So in preparing for my impression and gathering the needed equipment I need I realized I have a big inaccuracy to my look. I have a 2 1/2 x 2 inch tattoo on my forearm that would be visible when wearing the uniform. I hadn't really thought about it until now and I don't think it would fit well with my look.

I guess my question would be, is there a set of gauntlets or other ways of making this tattoo not visible? I'd prefer and almost need something that really is of the era (Julian-Augustus). I guess I would also ask, was there ever a time soldiers would wear them (as it's not commonplace in most impressions)?

I'm sure someone has run into this before... so I'd love a recommendation. Thanks!

[Matthew Amt]

I'd go with a linen bandage. I think gloves of some sort existed, but they were darn rare and probably unknown in the lower ranks. And the ubiquitous Hollywood vambraces are a particularly sore pet peeve! Bandage is simple. And if you put some maggots on it, no one will want to look under it!

Vale,

Matthew

[Magnus]

What's the tattoo of? I have a dagger and latin banner under it on my inside left forearm...yeah it's not authentic, but what can ya do?

[Titus Juventius Tertius]

It's the Punisher skull (from the old comics not the movies) So I don't think it would fit too well. I almost got a tattoo on my calf as well so I'm glad now I didn't. What would be a good source for some realistic (and hopefully accurate) bandages? I've seen a few guys in their impressions with some wrist to elbow style "gauntlets". One was flat metal, another was segmented like the gladiator piece, and another was short almost like an archer has in the medieval ages.

I'd never really seen any documentation on that type of equipment, but I know there HAS to be people out there that run into this. If it was on my left arm, I could probably get away with the shield covering it, but it's on the right. :\\

[Magnus]

yeah, you could easily wear a manica...and have an arm wrap of some kind as "padding" to cover anything else the armguard doesn't.

Matt Amt's page on the Manica: http://www.larp.com/legioxx/manica.html

And Matt Luke's awesome reconstruction: <!-- l <a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=19941">viewtopic.php?f=28&t=19941<!-- l

This piece of gear is well attested for historically...! So you're in luck.

[Theodosius the Great]

This piece of gear is well attested for historically...! So you're in luck.

But manica use in the Legions dates to the Dacian Wars at the earliest, right ? Titus asked about Caesarian / Augustan era arm coverage.

If that's your time frame, Titus, maybe you could sport a long sleeved Gallic tunic. You'd be a Gaul recruited into the Legions during either of the civil war periods of Caesar or Octavian. The former, IIRC, is known to have enrolled Gauls (i.e. non-citizens) into service even though it was highly irregular. If you go that route you can wear trousers while you're at it.

~Theo

[Matthew Amt]

What would be a good source for some realistic (and hopefully accurate) bandages?

Take any leftover strip of linen and wrap it around so it stays! Wool will work, too. Doesn't have to be neat, or white.

I've seen a few guys in their impressions with some wrist to elbow style "gauntlets". One was flat metal, another was segmented like the gladiator piece, and another was short almost like an archer has in the medieval ages.

Yes, the segmented manica is good for c. Trajan and later, but the other things you mention sound like the dreaded fantasy vambraces. Avoid at all costs. The advantage of a bandage is that you can leave it on your arm all day--a manica you might want to take off at some point.

Any experienced soldier might be wearing a long-sleeved tunic. Might not be just what you want in the summer, though.

Vale,

Matthew

[Magnus]

This piece of gear is well attested for historically...! So you're in luck.

But manica use in the Legions dates to the Dacian Wars at the earliest, right ? Titus asked about Caesarian / Augustan era arm coverage.

If that's your time frame, Titus, maybe you could sport a long sleeved Gallic tunic. You'd be a Gaul recruited into the Legions during either of the civil war periods of Caesar or Octavian. The former, IIRC, is known to have enrolled Gauls (i.e. non-citizens) into service even though it was highly irregular. If you go that route you can wear trousers while you're at it.

~Theo

I thought there were finds from earlier sites of manica in Britain? Thought I read that here a while back...the reason I remember it was because it pre-dated the dacian campaigns...

[Peroni]

The Carlisle and Newstead finds are both dated to the Hadrianic period, not sure about the Richborough fragments though.

There is definite evidence for the manica on Rhineland grave stele from mid first century. See if you can find "Sextus Varus Severus". The only pictorial reference I can find is a drawing from Mike Bishop. in this article.. http://www.mcbishop.co.uk/arma/arma2-2.pdf

It was a piece of kit with a much longer history though...
http://www.romanarmy.net/manica.htm

[jkaler48]

You may be able to get away with a smaller lighter linen or wool bandage if you stick it on with honey (which was used to treat wounds and burns in period). Wrapped bandages tend to slip under use and heavy activites like throwing pila. Of course you may then be fighting off bees and bears attracted to the honey.

[Titus Juventius Tertius]

You may be able to get away with a smaller lighter linen or wool bandage if you stick it on with honey (which was used to treat wounds and burns in period). Wrapped bandages tend to slip under use and heavy activites like throwing pila. Of course you may then be fighting off bees and bears attracted to the honey.

Haha, good advice. I'm still weighing my options and researching what I can.

[Marcus Mummius]

Of course you may then be fighting off bees and bears attracted to the honey.

I have a mental picture now of a signifer who is trying to fend of a bear that's looking for a good time :lol:

About the bandage staying in place.
I've found that this technique works quite well:
http://www.boxinggyms.com/tips/wraps/eugene01.htm

When you make the arm wrap(s), just cut a slip/hole at one end to put your thumb through. The other end you cut to split in two. This end you can then tie off around your arm. I don't know how far the tattoo extends on your arm, but you can easily make the wrap longer so it covers the tattoo completely.

[Titus Juventius Tertius]

Any idea of a good of era supplier for bandages? I guess I could make something... but I'd rather have something we know is accurate.

[Marcus Mummius]

Any idea of a good of era supplier for bandages? I guess I could make something... but I'd rather have something we know is accurate.

100% wool is as accurate as you can get :wink:

Be sure to use wool and not linen as linen bandages will not stay in place very well.