RomanArmyTalk

I found a local reenactments store, and I need help chossing a gladius. I know that I want a battle ready one, is this one accurate?

Battle ready no...accurate yes.

If you want something for cutting practice, then try albion armorers. First, if you're doing any cutting practice (otherwise why else do you need a sharp sword?), then you may want to join a western martial art school, like AEMMA. This way they will teach you proper, supervised technique when using a sharp weapon. Secondly, being 12 years old I'm not sure if your parents would allow you to have a weapon like that in your posession. You may wan to check with them, as most sites will not sell to minors under at least 18 years of age.

I'd say it's not quite as accurate as some. The sword itself looks fine, but the scabbard chape is the wrong shape--it should be a triangle, with straight sides, and a larger finial. The newer Deepeeka "N" series Pompeii gladius is better. The one you show could be the older Deepeeka model, or a copy by some other company.

Happy shopping!

Matthew

I'm reworking this same sword right now. It's a Deepeeka. The chape, in addition to what Matt said, is thick machined brass. And on the scabbard...well, I took it apart and found that it was made of pressed cardboard. Bad juju if it gets wet, which it likely will.

Pressed cardboard? How lame is that. I guess they will use anything as a material where its not visible.

I'm curious as to the definition of "battle-ready" is in this case, and why someone would need it "battle ready"? :?

Well, maybe post-Armageddon home defense? Easier to maintain a sword than a firearm. I dunno. The battle ready ones I've seen lack all the elements of authenticity that we fuss with each other over.

I think 'battle-ready' means can whack the heck out of other 'battle-ready' swords, that are made to 'super-beefy' specs, as opposed to 'authenticity' specs? Just a shot in the dark..... :?

"Battle ready" for the most part is a marketing ploy to those who do not know much about the subject, but have an interest in buying a sword. It is meant to indicate that it is of a quality that could be used on the battlefield and is historically accurate for newbs as a ploy to get them to buy it. 99% of the time you can substitute "battle ready" for "stupid people buy this" and let me make ten times the value off a stainless steel, schlock hilt, ribbon tanged, cardboard scabbard piece of junk. Its almost a sure thing that if they advertise "battle ready" it most assuredly is not and will not be up to live steel standards and is more intended for those whose knowledge comes from Xena, Highlander, and Braveheart. Many a beginner will lament buying these waste of closet space weapons when they first start out and sadder still are those that never get past that stage. I guess "battle ready" means impressing your friends at LARP events. Maybe they don't advertise that way in Europe, but here in the U.S. its pretty much the same as a poison label for non-LARPers.

I agree it is a marketing ploy. To me all swords sharp or blunt can still seriously injure or at worst kill. Unless the material is EN45 ( In Britian)spec. And you were to do blade on blade fighting.Which in a Roman contex to me would not happen, except gladiator displays.Of the sword in the picture it has a slight taper and is rounded to the point, you could put this down to years of sharpening. The scabbard, the chape is wrong, and the engraved Pompeii locket without the cut outs also wrong. If it is made from cardboard make a new scabbard although the locket could be used if you want to do the cut outs.But if its your first sword and you know its faults and cheap,then go with it and improve later,they are just cosmetic.
Regards Brennivs

I decided instead of examining one weapon at a time, just tell me a list of the most accurate equipment on http://www.kultofathena.com/roman.htm to depict a typical legionary from the 1st century AD. Does accuracy matter a lot on a wooden gladius?

You might want to look at Matt Amt's
Legio XX list of things to avoid

Dan, it's important to find out what the leaders of whatever group you think you might join up with what THEIR requirements and choices are. It's not quite as easy as what the individual reenactor decides, as it is what the group has already established.

Some of the items on Kult of Athena are generally approved; some are universally rejected as unhistoric, others are dependant on what the group has decided to allow. It wouldn't do a bit of good for me in Texas to tell you such and so dagger is ok, because you won't be marching in my line, odds are. Does that make sense?

Dan, if i had to choose from the swords shown on the Kult of Athena site i would go with the "Deepeeka Roman Pompeii Gladius" towards the bottom of the page, the one with the red scabbard. That's the one Matt metioned above, from the N series.

Maius/Bill

Hey Dan. If you're looking for a good wooden gladius I think there is a better source.

http://www.woodenswords.com/WMA/gladius.htm

You're right that there is nothing wrong with buying those types of blades when you know better and I wouldn't fault someone for it, not everyone has a huge bankroll for reenacting. My grudge is more with the sellers that play off peoples curiosity and ignorance. Instead of educating they intentionally scam people for their own benefit.