Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2009 16:57:49 GMT
I can't believe I just found a lorica segmentata on strongblade.com for 199 bucks! I've dreamed of owning a real suit of ancient Roman armor since as long as I remember but have always been turned of by the prices. However it says it is "scratch and dent" I don't really know a ton about armor but it seems like that's a amazing price compared to what I've seen elsewhere. What do you guys think? Should I snag it or do you think it's junk? Please give me some advice!!!
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SlayerofDarkness
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"Always give everyone the benefit of the doubt."
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Feb 19, 2009 19:17:48 GMT
Well, I don't know much about armor.... but it I believe that I saw this somewhere else listed as being made by windlass, and they generally have some pretty decent stuff. However, take note of this paragragh:
This is a scratch and dent item. The problems on these range from a broken hinge, to a partially broken stand, to small rust spots. Otherwise, they are excellent items. We are offering these at this price because we are clearing them out of our warehouse. There are no returns on these items. The matching Gallic helmet shown in the image above is available separately -- the helmets are in perfect condition and are offered at a discount only with the Lorica Segmentata."
I'd say that it's a pretty good deal, if you're willing to repair a broken hinge, polish it a bit, or do without a stand. Remeber that the helmet is NOT included though...
I hope this helps!
-Slayer
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2009 20:44:10 GMT
Thanks Slayer, I guess I kind of overreacted For just about $50 more you can get the same armor on kultofathena.com and it's without the "scratch and dent" thing so...yeah
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2009 2:09:33 GMT
Put up some links guys. I have been around a lot of armor and should be able to comment on quality, functionality and value.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2009 23:04:21 GMT
The Lorica Segmentata can be found lots of places for $200 to $250 I've been thinking about it as a standby until I finally get my Shan Wen Kia done...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2009 8:18:25 GMT
I bought some $179 lorica segmenta from King's Lance a couple years ago. $200 is about the going price for the Indian stuff if you shop around a little bit. All in all, it was not bad for the price, but the leather straps and buckles needed to be reworked after being worn a few times. The leather strapping on the interior were fine, but for some reason and really thin and cheap grade leather was used on the exterior (the straps that hold the upper to the lower) and the buckles were far to thin to do a good job. It was an easy fix, but this might be something you run into. No lorica is really junk. You are buying steel bands of a certian gauge, some leather strap, and some brass fittings - all of which can be replaced easily if the need arises. The biggest problem with off-the-shelf lorica is that it is all sized the same (large - for a 46"-48" chest mostly), so a custom fit is nearly impossible. For me this is fine, but you might be swimming in it which can lead to a ton of problems down the road with chafing, flexibility, mobility, and other issues. Here are a couple pictures of mine before I replaced the buckles: (The last pic was taken on a cellphone and kind of blows in quality, but you get the idea of the fit...)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2009 17:20:18 GMT
Thanks allot odingaard Wow it fits you perfectly! I'm expecting that, when I get around to buying it, it will be too big - I'm 5.8 and pretty skinny. How big are you? And where did you get your armor?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2009 11:10:18 GMT
I am 6'0" tall and weigh 225lbs. There is a little give in the armor, it expands a little bit, but won't really go any smaller. I have found that most production armor comes is two sizes: too large and too small. I was luck with the lorica that time.
Good luck in your search. ;D
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2009 23:10:56 GMT
Thanks
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2009 4:43:44 GMT
well I am a pretty big guy myself, so I read that Lorica Segmentata only came in size 44-48 chest, but my friend has 2 and one was able to fit a size 50 chest, so I bought it for 129$. Ill Post pics when I can get a Camera, and try find out where he got them for you.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2009 4:39:00 GMT
Woops, sorry Finch, didn't notice you posted 129$!? Sweet! Yes, please do let me know were he got them
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2009 19:24:27 GMT
Ahh he gave me a Link, I will PM you it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2009 15:43:52 GMT
Put the link up so we can ALL see it- I'm interested too; altho the Roman era is not necessarily one I aspire to, I have always loved the arms and armor of that age.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2009 21:03:40 GMT
I got it from an Ebay store. myworld.ebay.com/nauticalarmour/I am Charging up my Camera right now, and Tonight or Tomorrow, I will be picking the Armor up from the Post Office, as I was away when they tried to deliver. Then I will Make a video unpackaging it etc... and so we can see the quality.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2009 3:05:21 GMT
I got mine today....prepare yourself for disapointment
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Post by sparky on Mar 22, 2009 0:10:09 GMT
I got mine today....prepare yourself for disapointment I'm sorry, can you share what's up Maybe you can keep someone else from being disappointed kwim.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2009 3:31:18 GMT
Yeah I guess I was going to wait until Finch did his review before I said anything, just to get his take on it. Well....the armor is garbage as far as I can see. This is my first armor purchase so I admit I'm not the best judge of quality. I'm kind of short and pretty skinny so I wasn't really expecting it to fit me very well -(though I hoped it would.) I figured if nothing else it would make for a sweet display piece. I don't even think it will be good for display Honesty, I have a hard time imagining someone who it would fit well! The shoulder guards are smaller and fit me just fine but the main breastplate part is so big it could fit two of me in it. I can't even put my arms down at my sides with it on. The shoulder guards and the breastplate part just don't go together. There are a lot of rivets and things sticking through to the inside that get caught on your shirt. The inside is just spray-painted black, straps and all! I guess you get what you pay for -($160 and free shipping) but this same Lorica Segmentata is on a lot of websites for as much as $500 I'll try to get some pics up if Finch doesn't beet me to it. I'm still curious to see what he says. Like I said I don't have much first hand knowledge of armor so maybe I'm blowing this out of proportion
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2009 16:15:25 GMT
That's part of the problem when purchasing 'mass produced' armor- it has to be made to fit a variety of sizes and body types, but from what I gather, not many could call it a good fit. I wasn't able to see the specific one you'd bought but I think that one rule goes for any piece that wasn't custom made for a particular person- the one size fits all mentality doesn't work well in this arena.
A word of advice- chainmail is something you can get from anywhere and it'll fit due to the way it is made, but plate armor needs to be sized to an individual. You could try googling armourers or ask around; I use stonekeep armory for my plate armor needs- they're SCA legal so if that is an interest of yours, you could use them for SCA armor as well. Very affordable.
My first breastplate/backplate was advertised as 14th century, designed to fit a 40-48" chest; damned thing looked like a silver halter top on me and it was not made well...the front and back halves would pinch my sides and the shoulders (at the top where the two pieces met); I paid $120 including shipping and I was too excited when the package first arrived. So I can imagine the level of disappointment you must've felt when you realized you'd bought the equivalent of a segmented garbage can....hey, I did it too- lessons learned. Careful what you buy from eBay!!!!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2009 2:22:22 GMT
Ok So I finally got the armor cleaned up, and put together. The sizing is all wrong. 42"-48" chest is the size. Im a really really really fat guy and I have a 56" chest, and this armor just about fits me, and i mean like its only an inch from closing at the front. The height of the armor is perfect(im 5'11"). The only thing I dont like is how they just slapped black paint on the inside really fast, so the worksman ship is lacking there. Another thing is it catchs on my shirts when I put it on. Other than those problems, this armor came pretty much as I expected. I dont know how anyone smaller would fit it because like I said, im a huge huge fat guy and this stuff basically fits me.
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Post by sparky on Mar 27, 2009 23:12:41 GMT
Thanks andrew359..... I'm sorry you you are disappointed in your purchase. I know there are a lot of guys at SBG with a TON of knowledge on armor, maybe pick their brains in the future.
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