Roman Legionary Gladius with Scabbard, 1st Century.

Get Roman Legionary Gladius with Scabbard, 1st Century.

Mainz-Fulham type Roman legionary gladius with scabbard, 1st century AD



The gladius, the standard weapon of Roman legionaries between the 3rd century BC and the 3rd century AD, was used in many different versions over the centuries. Although primarily designed for stabbing, the much-feared Roman short sword was also an extremely effective slashing weapon. Over the course of the middle and late Roman Empire, however, it was gradually replaced by the longer spathe.



Although the Roman sword offered here is not an exact replica of an archaeological find, it is inspired by the gladii wielded by soldiers of the Roman legion in the first half of the 1st century. The broad, double-edged blade with a flat, diamond-shaped cross-section is forged from EN45 spring steel (neither hardened nor heat-treated). With its parallel, straight cutting edges and long, pointed tip, it corresponds to the blade of a classical gladius of the Fulham or Mainz-Fulham type, which is a transitional type between the Mainz type and the later Pompeian type (or is classified as a variation within the Mainz group). The cutting edges are not sharpened and the continuous blade tang is screwed to the end of the handle (brass threaded nut). The handle consists of bone, guard and wooden pommel. The guard is fitted with a brass plate on the blade side.



The one-handed Roman sword is delivered with a brown wooden/leather scabbard with artistic brass fittings (openwork muzzle plate, horizontal bands with supporting rings and a continuous side frame or rim ending with a setting button). The front muzzle plate displays a geometric sun-shaped opening motif and the V-shaped chamfer is decorated with a pattern of symmetrically arranged stylised whorls and surmounted by a palmette. The scabbard fittings are inspired by historical finds, in particular the remains of a 1st-century sword scabbard recovered from the Porto Novo shipwreck near Porto Vecchio (Corsica) and also identified as a transitional type due to its shape, size and ornamentation.



This sword is designed as a collector's item or decorative object and is also ideal as an accessory, for example to complete your costume.



Details:

- Material: EN45 spring steel blade (carbon steel, not stainless), bone handle, wooden guard and knob, brass locking nut and hand guard

- Total length: approx. 72cm

- Blade length: approx. 52 cm

- Blade thickness: approx. 3.8 mm / 2.8 mm (cutting edges approx. 1 mm)

- Handle length: approx. 20 cm (handle section approx. 9.5 cm)

- Maximum blade width: approx.
- Center of gravity: approx. 10 cm in front of the guard

- Incl. wooden case with genuine leather sheath and brass fittings

- Weight without cover: approx. 0.65kg

- Weight with case: approx. 1.1 kg



The above specifications may vary slightly from specimen to specimen.



The steel used here is not stainless and may show slight signs of corrosion. We recommend that you take care of the blade and sheath regularly, for example with Ballistol, a universal oil ideal for preserving steel products.



Please note:

This item is only sold to persons over 18 years of age. Please enter your date of birth on our order form. We also require a copy of your ID, driving licence or similar by email, scan, fax or post.


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