Roman Pompeii type gladius with scabbard, 1st century AD
The gladius, the primary weapon of Roman legionaries from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD, was used in many variations over the centuries. But eventually, this very formidable short sword was gradually replaced by the longer spatha during the middle/late Roman Empire. The gladius of Pompeii (or gladius pompeianus), which replaced the Mainz type from the mid-1st century AD, constituted the final evolutionary stage of the Roman short sword. This late variant was named after a famous Italian archaeological site where four canonical examples were found (dated before 79 AD, the year of the devastating volcanic eruption of Vesuvius that buried the city under several meters of ash).
The Roman sword we offer here is a reconstruction of a classically shaped sword from the late 1st century. Gladius type Pompeii. The blade with straight, parallel edges and a short, triangular point is forged from EN45 spring steel (not hardened, not tempered). The edges are not sharpened and the blade is attached to the pommel with a full point (brass top nut). The handle, guard and pommel are made of wood.
This one-handed Roman gladius comes complete with a decorated wooden and leather scabbard with brass fittings. The brass mounts are based on archaeological finds now housed in the Valkhof Museum (Dutch: Museum Het Valkhof) in Nijmegen (Netherlands). Two iconographic panels mounted on the upper side of the hilt are decorated with partially tinned, incised/stitched and engraved motifs. The pommel, consisting of a V-shaped frame with a button finish, a horizontal band and a decorative plate matching the medallion plates, is topped with a palmette. Cast brass suspension rings allow the wearer to carry their gladius in true Roman fashion.
This sword is designed as a collector's or decorative/display piece and, apart from being a collector's item, is also perfectly suited as a prop, e.g. to complete your costume.
- Material: EN45 spring steel blade (high carbon steel, not stainless), wooden handle with brass nut
- Total length: approx. 67.5 cm
- Blade length: approx. 49 cm
- Blade thickness: approx. 4.3 mm / 4 mm (cutting edges approx. 1 mm)
- Handle length: approx. 18.5 cm (grip approx. 9 cm)
- Max. blade width: approx. 4.5 cm
- Balance point: approx. 13 cm from the guard
- Includes wooden sheath with genuine leather cover and brass fittings
- Weight without cover: approx. 0.6 kg
- Weight with cover: approx. 0.95 kg
