Let\'s see your Signifer and Aquilifer animal pelts

[Virilis]

Wow Luca, looks amazing 8) !

[Caballo]

And separate question, where do you source a wolfskin (as opposed to a large coyote)?

[Robert]

I suppose if you are in the US or Canada, that would be very easy. Just order one. http://www.furcanada.com/skins-furs-and-hides.html
Here in Europe it is a lot harder to source one!

[ANTONIVS MAGNVS]

Here is Quintus Luccius Faustus stella:

[attachment=6297]QuintusLucciusFaustus.jpg[/attachment]

Thanks Alberto. Is the mask supposed to be in the top right over his shoulder?

[caiusbeerquitius]

That´s a lot of interpretation, finding a mask in there... :dizzy:

[Narukami]

Some truly magnificent images here, and the lions are particularly striking.

I wonder ... The whole idea of wearing these skins, from a practical military standpoint seems quite insane, and yet the sight, the image they create ... impressive.

Several have mentioned the weight of the skin, and one would guess that this would make it difficult, at best, to fight effectively if a signifer were attacked directly.

All this practicality notwithstanding, these photos as just amazing.

:wink:

Narukami

[M. Demetrius]

One thing to consider is the leverage that the skin would put against the neck piece of a conventional helmet. That would be very tiring to the wearer. My guess is that the neck piece would be as small as possible on a helmet like that, or not on there at all. And I suspect the arms tied together in front were to transfer some of the upper weight off the neck muscles, and onto the shoulders.

A tanned bear skin can easily weigh 6 kilos or more, depending on how much it has been thinned in the processing, and how big the bear was in the first place, whether taken in summer or winter, etc. And that assumes they tanned them in more or less the same way we did.

[caiusbeerquitius]

Does anyone know when the habit for standard bearers (and army musicians) to wear these pelts starts, and when it ends?

[ANTONIVS MAGNVS]

That´s a lot of interpretation, finding a mask in there... :dizzy:

I think we need a better picture from the front rather than from the side.

[Albertomv]

Mask or head of the pelt? The damages in the figures let us to do different interpretations

[ANTONIVS MAGNVS]

I've found more pictures from various angles, but still difficult to tell:

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Luccius%20Faustus

[ANTONIVS MAGNVS]

Would the Ribchester be appropriate for a mid 1st century signifer? I know the dating on it is about 100 AD.

[caiusbeerquitius]

I wouldn´t.

[jvrjenivs]

Would the Ribchester be appropriate for a mid 1st century signifer? I know the dating on it is about 100 AD.

First, the ribchester helmet has a decorated back, which I wouldn't cover with a pelt. I would say this is clearly a cavalry helmet. Furthermore, I would date it even a bit later, with first half 2nd century. This would make it rather early for mid 1st century use.

[ANTONIVS MAGNVS]

Thanks guys.

Any more pictures?

Also how do you care for the pelt? Does it need to be oiled so it doesn't dry out?