Wear and Tear.

[Helm]

This is turning into an amazing thread. my little bit https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22766029
Steve

 

[Wayneb]

Has anyone mentioned "arm pit stains or shit stains" .......yes, it's something different to talk to about,...... But as my blood pressure goes down,....I think it's a valid question....Might not draw in any new members....But I like it.

Wayne

 

[Henk]

Has anyone mentioned "arm pit stains or shit stains" .......yes, it's something different to talk to about,...... But as my blood pressure goes down,....I think it's a valid question....Might not draw in any new members....But I like it.

Wayne

Good point. Considering the complexity and time required to put on a suit of armour, they wouldn't have gone "behind a tree" to answer a call of nature..

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Actually there was a member of med rom forum back in the days (Mike Butler was forum host so he will know more) his name is Shane Terry and he posted some brilliant threads on clothes dyes, even testing them himself using plants and roots to create the colour dye and even....urine ! which was used by the romans to get a whiter white to clothing. Apparently urine bleaches all colour so I am sure lots of soldiers had the front of their breeches well bleached by the end of a days fighting. Shane also repeately washed the fabric he had used the dye on, showing how the colour changed by each wash....very interesting stuff.
Regards
Pete

Any links to that? Sounds fascinating. I saw a blog/video a while ago, of a guy who is very much into re-enacting Celtic life, including the naked battle attire (if that makes sense? A bit different from dressing up as your favourite Schutz Staffle member...). He tried out various ways to process woad, to make it into something that can be painted on the skin, to see how likely it is that Celt warriors painted their bodies with woad, and it turns out it's not simple, and rather acidic (if I recall correctly ( I didn't, I meant Caustic. It actually burns the skin and leaves scars)). I'll see if I can find it, to post a link.

Can't beat a good pun Pete
Thinking back I now remember those articles in which the level of research and detail was superb.
What stood out for me was how many ingredients resulted in completely different colours from that of the source material...pun intended.
Cheers
Derek

Nice pick up Pete - it was actually my Medrom Co-host Gary Gates who did the experimentation.
Henk - here's link to Gary's final post & index to other chapters:
Part 7: Final Part - Textile Samples 986.1
See other articles and related threads in this series:

• • Part 1: Introduction
  • Part 2: Whites
  • Part 3: Reds
  • Part 4: Blues
  • Part 5: Yellow and Brown
  • Part 6: Purple, Black and Green
  • Colour Guide Updates
  • Colour Guide Questions
  • Chinese dyes: Reds, Yellows and Purples
  • Medieval Economics Part 1
  • Medieval Economics Part 2 - Dye Plants
  • Thought on Dyeing - Greek Cloth Colours
  • Origin of the Colour Black
  • Origin of the Colour Gray
  • Red - Colour of Faded Madder
  • Colour Matching for Ancient Dyes (with Walmart reference codes)

Trust these are useful, unfortunately a number of links are problematic but text should still be of value.

I actually have stash of these Textile Samples from Gary's dye experiments.
I would be happy to share with anyone who would be interested at no cost other than postage to you.
Can dig them out of my storage & share photos of these if this is of interest too?

Has anyone mentioned "arm pit stains or shit stains" .......yes, it's something different to talk to about,...... But as my blood pressure goes down,....I think it's a valid question....Might not draw in any new members....But I like it.

Wayne

Ahhh ... Yeah!!
Hard not to go near these if doing Gallipoli era figures mate.
Current project has sweat stains as have many of my projects Wayne, including build up of sweat salts.
One of my most extreme was this from Kokoda Trail where all of the above was present ;-)
Aussie Bren Gunner photo reshot #59622ec336-4ec6-47fa-92b2-4cffda41e6cc-jpeg.423627

Even included signs of diarrhoea (discreetly) in a figure or two. ;-)
MikeTheKiwi

 

[Helm]

Mike I would love those samples, want me to drop you a PM?
Steve

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Mike I would love those samples, want me to drop you a PM?
Steve

Yes please Steve.
I moved house last weekend so things in disarray but will find as I sort stuff out mate.
MikeTheKiwi

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Mike I would love those samples, want me to drop you a PM?
Steve

Gary did amazing work, then noted mixes & shared samples with me.
Including horsehair, natural woollen material.
Suitable for Roman through Dark Ages, Medieval & Renaissance eras.
Unfortunately my interests have move to 20th century & these seem wasted for me tucked away in a box not displayed or actively used. So if you can put to good use in painting, teaching as a reference source for art projects. Please do reach out.
MikeTheKiwi

 

[Helm]

Superb mate
Steve