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$295.00
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Roman Empire
Used from: Ca.
AD 30-250
Used by:
Legionary infantry |
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DEEPEEKA
CORBRIDGE A LORICA SEGMENTATA AH3851
Used from: Mid 1st Century
AD - Mid-Third Century AD
Authenticity
Rating:
8.75-9.0
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Deepeeka
Version: The
Deepeeka version of this cuirass is the most affordable, while still
preserving the accuracy that we demand of our manufacturers, and keeping
the intangible flavor of ancient world craftsmanship. This item bears
an authenticity rating of 8.75 – 9.0. If the wearer were to desire to
make any modifications to the cuirass in order to improve its level of
historical authenticity, we would suggest narrowing the lesser shoulder
guards to a width of approximately 2 inches (50 mm). This cuirass is
otherwise an excellent piece of reconstructed history. For those who
will only exhibit this piece in a static display, they may wish to
consider purchasing the stainless steel version of this armor (AH3851S,
for $400), though not originally used by the Romans, to reduce the need
for polishing and upkeep. For those who are interested in the complete
historical experience and do not mind a little routine maintenance, in
keeping with the original material, we would recommend the standard
version in mild steel. |
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Our Two Versions
At this point, the
Corbridge is probably the best attested type of lorica
segmentata and has been reproduced by numerous
recreation armorers and costumers. We currently offer
two versions of this type of armor. One of these is
Deepeeka’s popular and affordable version. The
other version
we offer has been specifically designed by us and
manufactured by our partners at Daniyal Steel Crafts,
with total historical accuracy in mind. It is by far
the most historically accurate version of the Corbridge
commercially available today, and yet still at an
affordable price.
The History:
This is
the renowned Corbridge type (Variant A) lorica
segmentata. The ancient Roman imperial legions
outfitted their troops with progressively more
formidable and versatile forms of armor. For quite some
time the majority of infantry were outfitted with
chainmail, adopted from Italy’s Celtic neighbors, who
had been wearing such armor for centuries. Both the
Greeks and Romans had utilized breastplates, or muscle
cuirasses, of bronze that protected the entire torso,
but such armor was costly and difficult to make,
requiring that it be specifically tailored to the
individual who would wear it. Other nations had seen
limited use of strips or bands of metal attached to one
another and employed as a body defense. In the time of
Augustus, the first Roman emperor, segmented plate
armor, commonly known by the modern name developed by
scholars, lorica segmentata, was pioneered for
usage by the average legionary, allowing protection and
cost-effectiveness to go hand in hand, and producing
modular armor that could be easily manufactured and
easily adjusted to fit a variety of individuals.
It is possible that the
widespread use of this armor by legionaries was first
conceptualized during the revolt of Florus and Sacrovir,
in 21 AD, in which Roman legionaries found themselves
sorely outclassed by a band of rogue gladiators known as
Crupellari, who wore segmented plate armor over their
entire bodies. As a result, the legions, recognizing
the formidability of such a defense, began to explore
the usage of segmented plate armor for use by their rank
and file. But attesting to usage even earlier than this
incident, fragments of legionary segmented plate armor
have been found in excavations of sites in Germany that
date to the early Augustan period.
During the second half of
the first century AD, the segmentata would undergo
numerous uncharted changes by armorers and military
strategists, most of which are lost to us. But one type
of segmentata stands out amid the fragments of history,
due to its widespread and long-term use - the Corbridge
Type. In 1964, a hoard of armaments was excavated in
Corbridge, England (lending its name to the type), which
included sections of as many as twelve different sets of
this type of armor. Since then, the Corbridge type has
been one of the most widely studied forms of armor in
the field of ancient military studies. Countless other
fragments belonging to this type have been identified
from around the Mediterranean. Through intense study of
archaeological material from around the Roman Empire,
scholars such as H. Russell Robinson, Peter Connolly, M.
C. Bishop, and others, have contributed to the accurate
reconstruction of this type of armor. As such, the
Corbridge type was also in service the longest of any of
the various known types of lorica segmentata, recent
scholarly literature claiming that it was continually in
use well into the third century AD.
Daniyal Steel
Crafts Version:
This version of the
Corbridge A was developed by us in conjunction with our
partners at Daniyal Steel Crafts. We consider it to be
the most historically accurate version of the Corbridge
A commercially available. Our version has resolved
certain problems seen in earlier reproductions, such as
the lack of vertical overlap between superior and
inferior plates in the collar section and upper shoulder
guards. Additionally, the sizing of the lesser shoulder
guards has been corrected. This cuirass is made
generally available in size 42-44, but other sizes are
available upon request.
It is made of 18 gauge
mild steel, with brass furniture and vegetable tanned
leather strapping. This reproduction is incomparable,
considering the price of $400.00.
It is also manufactured solely for us by DSC, and sold
exclusively by us. With this newly redesigned version
of the Corbridge A lorica segmentata, its owner will
touch a piece of history, viewing or wearing what tens
of thousands of ancient soldiers fought in to defend and
expand the borders of the Roman Empire, and what some of
the finest scholarly minds of the last several decades
have labored to rediscover and document.
Authenticity: We would rate this
product a 9.75-10.
EXCLUSIVE ITEM…RESERVE
YOURS NOW! |
