[Fraxinus]

The gap at the top of the bands is probably to make movement more practical, and the threat of blows coming in through the gap is minimal, as long (16+ft)spears cannot deliver a blow from that angle and most swords of the era were slashing weapons.

I doubt that many of these scholors have any clue how the weapons and armor were actually employed.

[SunkenCiv]

Whoops! Fraxinus said it first. :')