Gladiator Arm Padding

Ash
Madoc


Sources:


No actual padding survives, so it's construction is conjecture from carvings, lamps, mosaics and other pictorial evidence from the period.


These construction notes are based on samples that we have constructed for use at events. We've obviously used many modern methods and materials, the fundamental aim being to produce something that looks and functions as it should with a economy and availability of material in mind.











The basic materials are linen, leather thonging and some sort of padding material. We have used modern duffel (stuff they use inside stuffed toys) as it's cheap and easily available













Pattern Construction
It's as easy to draw this upon the folded cloth as it is to make a paper pattern to work from. The measurements are:

A. The distance around your shoulder + 66% (or multiply by 1.666)
B. The distance around your wrist + 66% (or multiply by 1.666)
C. The distance bewteen the tips of your fingers and the top of your shoulder + 25% (or multiply by 1.25)

The additions might seem excessive, but when padded the whole thing shrinks considerably.



You will need two of these, the same.
The usual method, with cutting cloth is to fold it such that you can cut out both at the same time.

Assembly



Sew the two patterns together leaving ONE long side unsewn, that is where the the stuffing will be inserted.

Sew a number of tubes across the padding, leaving one end open for padding. We have found that making them around 3" to 5" apart gives roughly the correct number of sections, although the carvings are not consistant as to how many you need.



Stuff each section with your preferred padding, we used modern duffel, and then pin closed. Then check that the padding goes ALL the way around your arm. If it doesn't, then remove a little padding until it does (too little padding and you have made it too narrow and will need to start again!!!.)
If the padding fits then sew the ends shut.

If you intend to go for a closed piece then once you have all the sections fitted then sew both sides together, into a tube. If you intend to go for a flat piece then simple sew the tubes shut (as left).

The padding must close, other wise if you are usng thonging it will bite onto your arm (painful).

The section over the hand, needs only a few sections as it only serves as a cover for the hand.


Alternative methods
Although it might be possible to construct the padding without the sewn tubes and thus rely on the thonging to provide the sections, what we found was that the padding easily slips around inside and you end up with all the padding in one place. The thonging also tends to slip about, without the benefit of the sewn sections to guide it.
No thonging is actually shown hanging down, so it is entirely permissable to go for a closed "sleeve" just with sewn sections and no thonging but that will need some attachments to the shoulder for security.

Completed Item







This (left) is the underside of the armour (ours is not a joined sleeve) showing that it closes. if it doesn't then the thonging will bite.

















The arm from the front. Surprisingly comfortable and not as restricting as what you might think !!!