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 Info Catalogue Copyright 2001 Sean Richards |
Lorica SegmentataReproduction and Design Parameters H. R. Robinson's The Armour of Imperial Rome as well The Corbridge Hoard Archaeological Report were my initial sources for reproductions of the Corbridge variants of the Lorica Segmentata. My knowledge was further honed and refined via personal communications with M.C. Bishop, JRMES publications, Lorica Segmentata, Volume 1 by M.C. Bishop, Roman Military Equipment in Britain, by Bishop and Coulston, and Katalog der Militaria aus Vindonissa by Unz and Deschler-Erb among others. I have 12 years of experience in the reproduction of over 125 hand made Corbridge Segmentatas. In addition I have over 20,000 man-hours of practical knowledge from the use of Segmentatas in a broad range of circumstances that include: full contact unchoreographed simulated combat using mock swords, full kit campaign marches, parade drills, and entrenchment practice. Are Segmentatas In Stock? We do not stock Lorica Segmentatas because each one is custom made and shaped to fit you. You can order your hand made Lorica Segmentata in any size, up to 60" ...and ours are proportioned to fit. Proportioned to fit? Yes. The segmentata sections found at Corbridge fit a narrow range of body types averageing about 36 chest on a man about 5' 6" - 8". If are larger than that, say 6'3" with a 42" chest , the plates sizes of the originals will be small on you. That's why the plate dimensions of our hand made segmentatas will be proportioned to your body type. Steel Our segmentatas are made with 16g or 18g or 20g CR steel (cold rolled). You may have one made all from one gauge or a combination such as a 20g torso and 18g shoulders. Your choice, please specify when ordering. Appearance Unless you select a finishing option your segmentata will have a grey luster, a matte finish, that can be brought to a shinier finish with cleansers and mild buffing. You can also have the plates hammered to simulate a hand worked appearance. The hammering marks are modest and subtle. You can also have your segmentata tin plated. Some segmentata plates have been found with tin plating. This option offers an elegant historic solution to rust prevention and provides you with a shiny finish that's far easier to maintain than that of polished bare steel. Fittings The fittings are brass. The fittings are hand made and are made one at a time, thus just like the originals, they display uniqueness. No mass produced, machine punched, nibbled, stamped, die-cut or laser cut fittings. They often have tooling marks from handwork, just like the originals. The hand made lobate hinges are full barrel and doubled. They show rivet set tooling marks just like the originals. They are not mirror perfect replicas of each other nor do they have deliberate diecut machined imperfections. All buckle strap fittings are fully functional. They are set through the plate with one rivet, not two, where appropriate, allowing full movement which reduces the strain on leather straps. These fittings are made one at a time, by hand and each one is unique. Want fittings of a specific type? There are dozens upon dozens of variations. No problem. Select from the examples or send a picture of the fittings you prefer. Leather All leather strapping is made from vegetable tanned bovine shoulder and/or side, not chrome finished leather, never belly leather, and never ever suede. Rivets and Rivetting We use copper and bronze rivets, NEVER brass or steel, to attach all hardware and leather staps. Nor are the straps crushed from heavy riveting or aggressive over peening. Rivets are set in such a way as to allow the straps to have full play for proper fit and movement thus improving the durability of the straps and the fuctionality of the armor. Custom Fit. A lorica segmentata in order to function well and to be comfortable to wear for hours and even days at a time is best when made to measure. Your segmentata will be proportioned and scaled to match your body. Do not be fooled. There is no such thing as a properly fitting one size fits many segmentata or for that matter Small, Medium or Large. Nor does a single chest measurement produce a proper fit. One man with a 36" chest might have wide shoulders while another with a 36" chest may have narrow shoulders. The segmentata made for one will not properly fit the other. See: Measuring for a Roman Legion Quartermaster Segmentata for all the details. Hand Shaped Plates The plates of the Quartermaster Segmentata are not machine rolled. They are shaped by hand to approximate your unique body shape. Some minor adjusting for even better fit may be required after you wear your Quartermaster Segmentata a few times. Experience. We have made or supervised the making of over 125 segmentatas during the last several years to fit a wide variety of body shapes... tall, slim, fat, short, stocky and various combinations of the same. How can you function as a Roman reenactor if your armor does not fit? Value Many reenactors who have purchased off the rack machined Segmentatas attempt to custom fit them. When considering the purchase of an off the rack Segmentata that approximates your shape and size also consider the value of your time and materials to disassemble it, recut plates, relocate the die stamped or laser cut fittings and reassemble it. Next, examine the fittings on the off the rack Segmentata. Are the fittings perfect replicas of each other? (The real ones were not.) Are the lobate hinges full barrel? (Most off the rack lobate hinges are weak half barrel versions.) Do you have a choice of fittings? If you have any questions please write to Sean Richards, legioix@pacbell.net Corbridge A $550  Corbridge B $550 Tinned Option +$100
Hand Hammered Option +$75
Shipping outside of the USA,? Please, select the correct option. To Canada: $75
To Europe: $175
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