Spatha, Late Roman Sword with Scabbard

Discover Spatha, Late Roman Sword with Scabbard

Spatha, late Roman sword with scabbard, 2nd/3rd century AD



This spatha is not an exact replica of a historical model, but rather a reconstruction based on original finds from the 2nd and 3rd centuries.



From the late 2nd century AD the long Roman spathe gradually began to replace the shorter gladius. By the 3rd century it had already become the standard weapon of the Imperial Roman legions and auxiliary troops and was also used by gladiators. The exact origin of the spathe and the reasons why it so quickly replaced the efficient and feared gladius in the middle and late Imperial Roman period are still widely debated today among historians, archaeologists and lovers of ancient Rome. Although it is widely believed that spathes are of Celtic descent and owed their rapid popularity to changes in the fighting techniques and military tactics of the Roman infantry and cavalry, unfortunately the lack of reliable sources on the subject often leads to conjecture and oversimplifications of a much more complex concept.



The Roman longsword we offer here has a broad double-edged blade made of EN45 spring steel with two fullings on each side and a ricasso about 5 cm long below the guard. The cutting edges are not sharpened and the continuous blade tang is screwed to the end of the handle (brass threaded nut). The handle with a generous pommel is made of wood and has brass detailing. The handle section is decorated with carvings and the guard is fitted with a brass guard plate on the blade side.



The one-handed Roman sword is delivered with a red wooden/leather scabbard with brass fittings: a mouth band, a circular plate, a frame or continuous side border and a decorative central border with an integrated strap passage for wearing a belt or shoulder strap (max. strap width approx. 4.5 cm). The most striking feature of this scabbard is obviously the larger than average round plate or disc at the bottom (also called a tin band ), which is adorned with an engraved rosette motif.



This Roman 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), wooden handle with brass details

- Total length: approx. 99cm

- Blade length: approx. 78 cm

- Blade thickness: approx. 4 mm / 3.6 mm (cutting edges approx. 1 mm)

- Handle length: approx. 21 cm (handle section approx. 9.5 cm)

- Maximum blade width: approx. 6 cm

- Center of gravity: approx. 25 cm in front of the guard

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

- Width of the sheath at the mouth plate: approx. 8 cm

- Width of the sheath in front of the chamfer: approx. 7 cm

- Diameter of tin tape: approx. 8 cm

- Weight without cover: approx. 1.4kg

- Weight with case: approx. 2.16 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 taking care of the blade 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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