Greg
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,800
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Post by Greg on May 23, 2013 15:14:52 GMT
Just a quick question,
How thick of metal is the plate that works as the gladi's guard?
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Post by deejay on May 23, 2013 15:24:28 GMT
The one on my Gen2 is 1/8th of an inch thick.
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Post by Elheru Aran on May 23, 2013 16:40:36 GMT
I believe one project I saw, where (IIRC) a guy took an Albion blade and made his own fittings and scabbard (this was on MyArmoury, I think it was a 'spotlight topic' if you want to search it but I could be wrong), he used a chunk of a door hinge for the brass guard plate. Those are typically 1/8", plus or minus a few 32'ths. If you go this route, get the 3-screw hinge rather than the 4-screw... more brass to play with  |
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Post by L Driggers (fallen) on May 23, 2013 18:04:51 GMT
Just checked my KC 1/8in.,if you find a good brass supplier let me know. I'm making my own hilts for the big bowies I'm doing try now. 3 will have brass hilts the other 3 mild steel.
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Greg
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,800
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Post by Greg on May 23, 2013 18:27:29 GMT
I've seen brass push plates for commercial doors at my local hardware store. But I'm actually not gonna make it out of brass. I'm working on a Windlass Qama conversion to a comfortable gladius, and I don't want to redo all the metal work on the scabbard to match the brass  Maybe in a future "over haul" project, but for now, I just want a comfortable short sword. I've got a propane tank that I plan on using. I've already made some cuts, but didn't know if that thickness was appropriate. (I think it's 3/16") So after I polish it down, it'll be closer to 1/8. Thanks guys! |
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Post by SPQR on Jun 4, 2013 15:37:37 GMT
Greg;
I recently (like last night) received two of the Strongblade Scratch & Dent type III gladii and they have the usual 1/8 in polished steel.
However.
There's very little actual archeological basis for the plates, especially for plates that are not inlet into the front of the grip. To the best of my knowledge, only a handful have been found that have this plate in any fashion, and they tend to have bone or ivory handles, or be quite ornate. There are gladii that have all metal or metal-over-wood guards, of course, but aside from these fancy dress versions, most swords seem to have not had a plate before the guard.
I can understand why they wouldn't. It serves no purpose on a gladius really. There's not going to be any "parryng" of blades, that's why that shield is hanging on your left arm. There's no reason to protect it from slamming into a scabbard with a chunk of steel; a nice piece of leather, perhaps glued to a piece of wool will do nicely, thank you.
I am *quite* sure the basic issue gladius had no plate, being produced as cheaply as possible for the basic soldier. Roman soldiers bought their own equipment, arms and uniforms. I'm sure the basic issue was just functional, no frills gear, and the soldier could buy better and fancier if he could afford it.
The plate thing seems to have become a fashion statement among some of the reenactment crowd when the truth is probably something much different.
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Post by kristoferjaemz on Oct 10, 2013 15:21:39 GMT
Although the archaeological evidence is sparse, I believe that most gladii had bone or wooden hilts and guards, and many lacked even the specific definition of an actual guard, but had slight widening of the hilt where it met the blade. The tactics of the roman legions would have little need for a guard, as they primarily stabbed at the mid section of their enemies, over the shield wall at the shoulder girdle, or under the shield at exposed legs. SPQR hit it on the head with the "cheap" comment. Mil Spec then would be much as it is now, lowest bidder who provides the most adequate product within the budget. Of course, the officers would have more than likely had their own custom blades, which could have much more ornate hilts, and it is also my understanding that some of the more wealthy "promoters" of the time would commission some more exotic blades for the use in their gladatorial spectacles. But for the most part, hilt sans metal.
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Post by Chuck Ladd on Oct 10, 2013 16:05:04 GMT
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Post by MLanteigne on Oct 20, 2013 5:53:33 GMT
As far as I know, historical gladii did not have a metal guard, rather a small thin inset plate mounted flush on the surface of the wood guard.
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