Veteran Legionary

[Geoffrey]

This is my 3rd post so please hold fast if this topic has been hammered to bits. I’m currently trying to piece together a uniform for future reenactments. My target of interest is to recreate a veteran legionary of 14 years under the command of Germanicus during his expeditionary campaigns into Germany. I have decided to go with a plain white tunic (from La Wren’s Nest) however what kind of cloak and fibulae would be appropriate for this period.

[Publius Aelius Lucius]

Hi Geoffrey ,
there is a good Site from the university osnabrück about Kalkriese(it´s just in german ) the pictures are very interesting :wink: and it is your time
www.geschichte.uni-osnabrueck.de/projekt/start.html

[Geoffrey]

Thanks, this helps, however my German is a little rusty....

[Gaivs Antonivs Satvrninvs]

Salve,Geoffrey.
Greerings to Cols,Oh from Cols,Ga. I might recommend Holger-Ratzdorf(H.R. Replicate) as a source for dating fibulae. Your cloak could be a sagum or paenula. H.R.'s items always have the dates they were used so
I like using him for a source to date small items.He's German,but click on the English tab.Click Roman then military. I think you can find what you want there. Also check out Matt Amt's LegioXX.Always a good no nonsense resourcr for new legionnaires.E-mail him for info if you like as he's always very helpful.
Vale,

[Gaivs Antonivs Satvrninvs]

I think it would be safe if your gear included a lorica hamata(see recent post on acquiring and quality), montefortino or coolus helm,gladius hispaniensis(or possibly easier to get)mainz,dual balteii(no danglies), did I leave anything out,guys? You could try the controversial Kalkriese seg,but well....nobody makes it that I know of.
You probably knew most of this already but just in case I thought I might save you some trouble.

[Tarbicus]

Probably two belts of the thinner plate type, with one of the belts used to hang the gladius from - not a baldric - the other belt for the pugio. Mainz type gladius should be good to use.

You should at least consider a red tunic, but I don't want to start a ding-dong about colours :wink:

[Gaivs Antonivs Satvrninvs]

"Ding-Dong" (who's there?)"Red"(red who)"Red tunica".

I wanted to say that,too but was trying to avoid the "you-know-what".

[Geoffrey]

Going with the lorica hamata won’t be an issue due to the fact that I’m going to attempt to construct one myself. I found a website that sells a few different styles of rings….I believe the company is called the Ring Lord. Any suggestion on size and type (stainless steel, bronze) that I should pursue.

Thanks

[Tarbicus]

Going with the lorica hamata won’t be an issue due to the fact that I’m going to attempt to construct one myself. I found a website that sells a few different styles of rings….I believe the company is called the Ring Lord. Any suggestion on size and type (stainless steel, bronze) that I should pursue.

Thanks

The general consensus is steel, 6mm internal diameter or so. If you really are going to go for it, the rows of mail should alternate between round x-section riveted, and flat stamped solid rings to be proper Roman chainmail. Check out the various hamatae being sold in the Marketplace, you might find them as cheap as buying the materials, but they do certainly offer lots of useful info regardless.

[Gaivs Antonivs Satvrninvs]

Isn't there someone here who's been working on his for a very long time and only 1/3 done? You should be ready in time for the Kalkriese reunion.

[Crispvs]

Avoid stainless steel - the Romans didn't have it! They didn't have mild steel either but it is as close as we can normally get to the iron they used.

Crispvs

[Tarbicus]

I know someone who can make three a year, and a bucket load of other stuff, and hold down a day job. He knows who he is, and he obviously needs to get out more often :wink: :wink: