Roman Fulham Gladius with pod, 1st c.

Description

Roman Fulham Gladius with pod, 1st c.
Roman Fulham Gladius with pod, 1st c.
Roman Fulham Type Gladius with Scabbard, 1st Century A.D.
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. Primarily designed as a thrusting/stabbing weapon, it was also quite effective at cutting or slashing. Eventually, this highly feared short sword was gradually superseded by the longer spatha during the mid/late Roman Empire.
This Roman shortsword is a reconstruction of a classically styled 1st c. Fulham (or
Mainz-Fulham
) type gladius named after an archaeological find recovered from the Thames in Fulham (London) in 1883. With its parallel, straight (or sometimes slightly «waisted») edges and long point, the Fulham pattern is believed to be a transitional type between the Mainz and the later Pompeii types. However, as the Mainz and the Fulham gladii were concurrently used during the first half of the 1st c., some historians rather consider the Fulham as a mere variation within the Mainz group.
The Roman sword we offer here is partly inspired by finds from the
castrum
of Vindonissa in Windisch, the only legionary camp in Switzerland. The broad, straight blade with flat diamond cross-section and long, sharply pointed tip is forged out of EN45 spring steel (not tempered, not hardened). The edges are not sharpened and the blade’s full tang is screwed to the pommel (brass top nut). The grip is made of bone, the guard and pommel of wood. The guard is equipped with a protective brass plate.
This one-handed Fulham style gladius comes complete with a brown wood-and-leather scabbard with brass fittings. 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.
Details:
– Material: EN45 spring steel blade (high carbon steel, not stainless), bone grip, wooden guard and pommel, brass pommel nut and guard plate
– Overall length: approx. 73 cm
– Blade length: approx. 52.5 cm
– Blade thickness: approx. 4.3 mm / 3 mm (cutting edges approx. 1 mm)
– Hilt length: approx. 20.5 cm (grip approx. 9 cm)
– Max. blade width: approx. 5 cm
– Point of balance: approx. 13.5 cm from the guard
– Incl. wooden scabbard with genuine leather cover and brass fittings
– Weight without scabbard: approx. 0.7 kg
– Weight with scabbard: approx. 1.1 kg
Specs may slightly vary from piece to piece.