Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 34-35. (2014-2015)
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Fig. 7. Armour plates from Bistra Muresului. 1: cat. 1; 2: cat. 6; 3: cat. 11; 4: cat. 18. Dimensions: Is: 8,4 and 8,0, ss: 7,0 and 6,8. Its four rosette rivets were set in two rows, two of them are fragmentary. The distance between the rivet head and the plate is of 1,5-2,0 mm. Pth: 1,5 mm (Fig. 6/17) 18. Rectangular plate, very slightly curved. Dimensions: Is: 8,0 and 7,5, ss: 8,0 and 7,7. It was probably fastened with three rivets, one of which was destroyed. The distance between the rivet head and the plate is of 1,9-2,0 mm. Pth: 1,1 mm (Fig. 6/18,7/4) Even though indirectly, we must also discuss within the category of weapons the metal stiffener which was indispensable for carrying the case of combat knives. A detailed analysis of this objects medieval occurrence in Transylvania has recently been published.110 On the basis of analogies the Bistra piece can be dated to the same 14-15th century period as the rest of this find of objects. 1. Knife case stiffener, fragmentary on the upper end, with a U-shaped bend on the lower side and a rectangular handle on the upper side. Both preserved branches are square cross sectioned. Dimensions: length: 11 cm, width of branch: 0.4-0.6 cm (Fig. 8) Fig. 8. Knife case stiffener (Drawn by M. Ferenczi) 110 Rusu 2008, 84-97. II. Horse equipment We can rate 16 objects as horse equipment. Beside spurs, bits, horseshoes and curry combs we have identified a few buckles belonging to harnesses and in the case of two earlier buckles we must consider the possibility of their functioning as horse equipment. 1. Spurs The four spurs can be classified into two well-defined typological groups. They will be discussed in detail, as they supply important information from the viewpoint of the find’s dating. The first group includes three short necked pieces (cat. 1, 2, 3) with a curved side, of an average length of 11-12.5 cm. They display the characteristics of early rowel spurs. The thick specimen with a polygonal cross section and the shortest neck has a rowel of a small diameter. Two items present identical execution of the neck, they are composed of thin sides of the neck. Both are decorated, one of them has a moulding decorated with incised lines at the basis of the neck, while the other shows incised lines across the left branch. All three spurs can be dated to the 14th-15th century.111 The other group is represented by the almost straight, long-necked specimen that has a warding gap growing thin at the end (cat. 4). Both its rowel and hook attachments have been preserved. This spur type was mostly characteristic for heavy cavalry and is of later date than the other three. Based on its Transylvanian analogies we can consider it characteristic for the second half of the 14th century and the 15th century.112 111 Győrit 2006, 102-103. 112 Győrfi 2005, 106.
