Roman Pompeii Type Gladius with Scabbard, 1st c.

Roman Pompeii Type Gladius with Scabbard, 1st c.

The gladius, the primary weapon of the Roman legionaries from the 3rd c. BC to the 3rd c. AD, was used in many variations over the centuries. But eventually, this highly feared short sword was gradually superseded by the longer spatha during the mid/late Roman Empire. The Pompeii type gladius (or gladius pompeianus), which superseded the Mainz type from the mid-1st century AD, constituted the final evolutionary stage of the Roman shortsword. This late variant was named after the famous Italian archaeological site where the four canonical examples (dated to before 79 AD, the year of the devastating volcanic eruption of the Vesuvius which buried the city under several metres of ash) were found.

This one-handed Roman gladius comes complete with an ornate wood-and-leather scabbard with brass fittings. The brass mounts are based on archaeological finds now kept at the Valkhof Museum (Dutch: Museum Het Valkhof) in Nijmegen (Netherlands). The two iconographic plates fitted on the observe side of the throat are adorned with partially tin-plated, cut-out/pierced and engraved motifs. The chape, composed of a V-shaped frame with button finial, a horizontal band and an ornamental plate that matches the locket plates, is topped with a palmette. Cast brass suspension rings allow the bearer to carry his gladius in true Roman fashion.

Please note that this sword is not a battle ready weapon. It is designed as a collector's or decoration/display piece and is not suited for combat reenactment. Besides its quality as a collectible, it is also perfectly suited as a prop, e.g. to complete your costume.

Specifications:

• Material: EN45 spring steel blade (high carbon steel, not stainless), wooden hilt with brass pommel nut
• Overall length: approx. 67.5cm
• Blade length: approx. 49cm
• Blade thickness: approx. 4.3mm / 4mm (cutting edges approx. 1mm)
• Hilt length: approx. 18.5cm (grip approx. 9cm)
• Max. blade width: approx. 4.5cm
• Point of balance: approx. 13cm from the guard
• Incl. wooden scabbard with genuine leather cover and brass fittings
• Weight without scabbard: approx. 0.6 kg
• Weight with scabbard: approx. 0.95 kg

Specs may slightly vary from piece to piece.

The steel used here is not rust-proof and might show slight surface tarnishing in places. We recommend you to maintain the blade and the scabbard on a regular basis, for example using Ballistol Universal Oil, which is ideally suited for steel care.