Custom Spatha by GGK *FINISHED!*

I just realized I fudged the measurements I gave to Purna from the archaeological find. The original sword was REALLY waisted, about 58mm at the widest points and 41.9mm at the most narrow point. I gave him a measurement of 50mm at the most narrow point because I likely read 41.9mm as 49.1mm. I invert numbers ALL the time. When I am 93 I will tell people I am 39.

Having realized my error, I am not entirely sure this makes my attempt at a reconstruction kaput. I still wonder about the waisted design feature. The archaeologists who discovered this sword believe this example was likely an actual design feature, i.e. they intended to make a waisted sword, but to what extent? I guess my design is waisted, but it's not as pronounced, it's more subtle. Perhaps after years of reprofiling the edge it because more narrow and the waisted effect more pronounced.

I wish we had more data about the metallurgical composition of the blade from this find. All they could observe was that there was a slight warp to one of the edges, but that was it. They thought the blade was rather stiff and strong. So it doesn't look like it was an inferior quality blade at the time of its make, which might explain how a waisted effect could be created via decomposition, i.e. the brittle edges broke off as it decomposed.

This paper really made me reconsider gladius hispaniensis. It's obvious the late Republican period saw this sword type be adopted all over the Roman world. Although it may have been a Celtic design, it was widely appropriated by many different cultures. The scholars use the anachronistic term, spatha, to describe this find because even though it was a word used to describe late Roman style, it's a logical way to describe a long Roman style blade, and they do conclude this is a Roman style blade. They do assume that it's patterned after Roman blades, but that Greeks living in Egypt at the time of its make may have preferred longer sword blades.

Oh, archaeology is a frustrating profession built on so many assumptions. I haven't even started on the ebony pommel from this find.

My version of a spatha ...Pompeii style...

Who made yours?

Mark Morrow.... swordsmith.net

I'm going to need a pilum soon. Mark looks like the right man for the job.

It's hard to believe that's his first attempt at a Roman scabbard lol.  Beautiful job!  I'm guessing it's brass trimmed around engraved wood?  Were the engravings your idea or his?  Any story behind them?  This is coming together nicely!  

Only the finest for the new roman army :)

I was thinking that as well too, but then I'm like I want a scutum to go along with my gladius :)

I love the spatha, yeah I would say the rings are little low, so good for you to ask to have them raised, and good job on his first ever attempt.