Roman Xanten Gladius with Sheath, 3rd Century.

Gift of Roman Xanten Gladius with Scabbard, 3rd Century.

Roman Xanten gladius with scabbard, 3rd 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. However, throughout the Middle and Late Roman Empire, this feared short sword was gradually replaced by the longer spathe.



The Roman sword offered here is fitted with a blade made of EN45 spring steel (neither hardened nor heat-treated). 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. In contrast to the classic Pompeii gladii with straight, parallel cutting edges and a short, triangular tip, the blade has a lenticular/almond-shaped cross-section and tapers smoothly towards the pointed, oval tip. This special blade shape is based on an unusual find from Xanten, North Rhine-Westphalia, which dates to the late Roman Imperial period (approx. 3rd century AD), but which is, however, difficult to classify.



The Roman one-handed sword is delivered with an artistically decorated wooden/leather scabbard with brass fittings. Unlike the blade, this scabbard is based on historical models of the Pompeian type. On the front face, the muzzle is decorated with elaborate, partly tin-plated details: in two separate decorative fields one can see partly openworked and partly engraved depictions of a helmeted figure with all his attributes. The chamfer with a V-shaped edge, chamfer button and horizontal band is decorated with a pattern of stylised spirals and topped by a palmette. Support rings made of cast brass allow the user to carry his gladius like a real Roman.



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. 69cm

- Blade length: approx. 49 cm

- Blade thickness: approx. 4.6 mm / 3.7 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. 9 cm in front of the guard

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

- Weight without cover: approx. 0.6kg

- Weight with case: approx. 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.


At Tienda Medieval we have thousands of medieval and other period products. Discover them!