02-22-2006, 04:46 PM
This post may rather belong to 'reenactment and reconstruction', but I still think the first test results of my 'subarmalis' should be posted here.
I made it of three layers of felt and two layers of linen, which together give this thing a strength of 1,5 cm! I first wanted to make it with 4 (!) layers to reach the almost 2 cm mentioned by the Anonymous Byzantinus, but luckily a friend of mine suggested to first try it with three layers.
I quilted the 'subarmalis' with a strong waxed linen thread (which is usually rather used for heavy leatherwork). A saddler stitch was used.
(Roman leather awl, modern leather needles)
The average distance between the seams is about 6 cm. This measurement is not based on ancient finds (wish we had some
), but was inspired by a guesstimation of the distance between the seams (?) of the subarmales (?) visible on the Arlon-relief.
I wanted the design to be as simple as possible, so I constructed it a little like an 'old Roman' tunic: a slit for the head, but no sleeves.
The neckslit had to be enlarged to keep it from exerting unpleasant pressure on the carotis.
The closing system (leather straps running from stitched on heart-shaped leather patches) was taken from a Dura-Europos linen greave liner.
Luckily I have been disciplined enough over the last months to lose 3-4 kilos, or otherwise there would have been real trouble getting into my cuirass (it was already difficult enough!).
[I'm wearing this contraption in the image I've posted on 'show your impression' - no, you can NOT see it :wink: )
The 'subarmalis' made the cool breeze at first very comfortable, but when I came home again (slightly more than 6 hours of walking with a long break in the middle - on the whole ca. 20 km) it was soaked with sweat.
The white areas show where it was still somewhat dry. :lol:
Next summer will be 'fun' :?
The padding vest distributed the weight of the cuirass (plus helmet, shield, lance, sword, dagger, belt, baldric, furca with 5 kg of luggage) rather well, but still I want to add more padding to the shoulders.(outch!)
I made it of three layers of felt and two layers of linen, which together give this thing a strength of 1,5 cm! I first wanted to make it with 4 (!) layers to reach the almost 2 cm mentioned by the Anonymous Byzantinus, but luckily a friend of mine suggested to first try it with three layers.
I quilted the 'subarmalis' with a strong waxed linen thread (which is usually rather used for heavy leatherwork). A saddler stitch was used.
(Roman leather awl, modern leather needles)
The average distance between the seams is about 6 cm. This measurement is not based on ancient finds (wish we had some
), but was inspired by a guesstimation of the distance between the seams (?) of the subarmales (?) visible on the Arlon-relief.I wanted the design to be as simple as possible, so I constructed it a little like an 'old Roman' tunic: a slit for the head, but no sleeves.
The neckslit had to be enlarged to keep it from exerting unpleasant pressure on the carotis.
The closing system (leather straps running from stitched on heart-shaped leather patches) was taken from a Dura-Europos linen greave liner.
Luckily I have been disciplined enough over the last months to lose 3-4 kilos, or otherwise there would have been real trouble getting into my cuirass (it was already difficult enough!).
[I'm wearing this contraption in the image I've posted on 'show your impression' - no, you can NOT see it :wink: )
The 'subarmalis' made the cool breeze at first very comfortable, but when I came home again (slightly more than 6 hours of walking with a long break in the middle - on the whole ca. 20 km) it was soaked with sweat.
The white areas show where it was still somewhat dry. :lol:
Next summer will be 'fun' :?
The padding vest distributed the weight of the cuirass (plus helmet, shield, lance, sword, dagger, belt, baldric, furca with 5 kg of luggage) rather well, but still I want to add more padding to the shoulders.(outch!)
Florian Himmler (not related!)
