Need recomendation for historical accurate gladius

Kingdom of arms has some that might be of interest to you.

Dear theiceman085,

I fear that Kingdom of Arms' gladii are not at all historically accurate. The least inaccurate one, which is made by Kawashima, seems from the photos to have a decent Mainz-style blade, but you'd have to strip off the furniture and remount it, as well as strip down the scabbard and rebuild it from the wooden core outward. At US$160, it may be worthwhile to do that, but probably not when shipping and customs fees are included.

Albion Swords' gladii are very good indeed in both appearance and function. But they're expensive (they also don't come with scabbards, so that will be an extra charge); they're hard to find in Europe, so you'd probably have to order from the U.S. (more expense, as above); and Albion don't make a gladius hispaniensis.

Unless you opt to commission one from a custom maker, the only company that I know to make a proper gladius hispaniensis blade is the Indian producer Deepeeka, whose products are widely available from many vendors. They offer three models, the AH4215 Republican Delos Gladius 1st Century BC, the AH4228 Caesarean Sword with Bone Handle, and the AH4229 Caesarean Gladius. All have the longer (60-68 cm) blades now known to be correct (of them, only the AH4215 Republican Delos Gladius has a waisted blade; the other two are the straight style), and the AH4229 Caesarean Gladius has been offered with a scabbard decorated with the reticulated brasswork that was popular in the late Republican and Early Principiate periods (although the scabbard shown on Deepeeka's Web site is plainer, with only crosswise brass strips and no lengthwise ones--you might ask sellers which version they have). (Avoid the AH2004 Republican Gladius Hispaniensis, which has a very badly shaped blade and an incorrectly proportioned scabbard.) Deepeeka's swords are also probably the most accurate in the way they're manufactured, as they're made as quickly and inexpensively as possible, and they incorporate a lot of hand work. I suspect they would not draw second looks if carried through time to Julius Caesar's Rome. Because of this, and because of Deepeeka's frankly inconsistent quality control, it can be something of a gamble whether you get a pleasing example or a disappointing one--buying at second-hand can help with this, as can choosing a vendor with a good return policy and good service. Other downsides of these Deepeeka gladii are that: in all cases their hilts are too large in length and grip diameter (the guard and pommel of the AH4229 Caesarean Gladius are in proportion with its grip, and thus also too large); the guard and pommel on the AH4229 Caesarean Sword with Bone Grip do not seem to be of an archaeologically or iconographically attested style; the blades very often lack sufficient tapering, and can thus be unwieldy; and the blades' heat treatment can be unreliable, which could be a problem if you want to do a lot of cutting or to cut against resistant targets. Deepeeka also sells its swords unsharpened, so you'd have to do that as well if you want to cut. Deepeeka's products are usually inexpensive enough that they make good kits for improvement, but that may not be what you want for a first sword.

If you want to be confident about getting an accurate sword that will be usable, you'll have to order from a custom maker. I know that Patrick Bárta in the Czech Republic has made an absolutely beautiful late Republican gladius hispaniensis with a scabbard, but I don't know what his work queue looks like. As with all custom work, be prepared for the expense.

I hope this proves helpful, and not too depressing.

Best,

Mark Millman

Dear theiceman085,

That's an excellent approach and a very level-headed view, which not all first-time sword buyers manage to adopt. I wish you every success with your project. I hope you'll consider posting photos here when you get your sword.

Best,

Mark Millman

Not perfect but I think an option:
www.swords-and-more.com/typ-mainz-gladius.html
sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/61836

Dear AndiTheBarvarian,


I imagine theiceman085 already knows this, but if historical accuracy is a criterion then Windlass' gladii don't make the grade. Virtually every aspect of their designs deviates in some way from the archaeological and iconographic evidence.

Best,

Mark Millman

Dear stormmaster,

The OP is in Austria, so the geographical constraint certainly doesn't matter.

Best,

Mark Millman

id look also at Gael Fabre and JT Palikko both have made great gladius in the past but also have wait times

Thanks for the further recommendations.

mark Millman is right btw being located in Austria is an advantage for having easier access to some very good European Blacksmith compared to people located in the US for example.


@andithebaverian has a point too. To get something fast, the Windless would be a good starting point. While not completely historically accurate it would be a good stop-gap solution until I can go custom.

Going custom or going for an Albion would be a long-term project though. It takes some time to save the money and the waiting time for the smith the finish my commission. I have no issues with that. That's what I want and in order to get great things you have to be patient. An Albion would be my plan b but I am more inclined towards hiring a European smith.

Having an intermediate sword has its advantages, if nothing more than filling a long wait time. Assuming that you have no cutting experience would make a good trainer. I have no experience with a gladius but looking at the hilt design I think blade alignment may be more difficult than with some other designs. It would be a shame considering the long wait time and expense of a fine custom sword to make a bad cut and damaging it. It can happen. If you cut, expect cutting marks to be left on the blade, if that makes a difference. You can take the cheapy out whack away with it and if damaged no real lost.