You are a lucky man. I would go for #2 as you can use it for any Roman era. Aux. armor for the early Empire and of course you can use it for late Empire. If you really wanted to you could convert the shirt later by turning the sleeves into doubling. Not to mention such a shirt would be good for many other periods. Clontarf? why not! Saxon at Hastings? Sure could!
'Because I do not even consider the question.'
Epictetus
those are some good thoughts. i have thought about them as well. i have a rivetted flat alternating mail shirt from forth armoury that is ruffly the same size as the findit armoury one with sleeves.
Chuck later shirts all seem to be with sleeves. So I think the one you have is perfect for you late Roman kit already. If I were you I would use the money to buy one of those dished shields from Christian, and use the shirt you currently have.
If you are looking to make a dished late Roman round shield, what facing are you planning on painting on it? I am also making a new dished round as I NOW know that my oval dished round shield is probably wrong.
'Because I do not even consider the question.'
Epictetus