02-13-2005, 03:54 AM
Avete,<br>
<br>
Given that the Roman sword blades I've seen pictured have simply a long, thin tang, there's no way they could be balanced the way, for example, a Medieval sword with a solid pommel would be; that is, of course, unless the pommel of a Roman sword were filled with lead or something. One of the experts would have to answer to this question. Carlton is right anyway, balance is certainly important for a long weapon like a broadsword or a sabre, but I would suspect a light, short stabbing weapon like a Gladius wouldn't have nearly as much need for it.<br>
<br>
As for your Gladius, Spatha, mine was much the same- but I modified it based on real artifacts. It started out like this:<br>
<br>
<img src="http://img147.exs.cx/img147/3512/gladiia9wt.jpg" style="border:0;"/><br>
<br>
with all kinds of flaws- the black leather on the scabbard, its chape and locket, and I wasn't happy with the handguard, handle and pommel- so, I re-worked it all, and now it looks like this:<br>
<br>
<img src="http://img177.exs.cx/img177/9075/pompeiigladivsnew2a0md.jpg" style="border:0;"/><br>
<br>
It was a fair amount of work making the new parts and altering the brass hardware, but it wasn't that hard, wasn't terribly costly, and it makes a huge difference.<br>
<br>
Vale<br>
<br>
Matt <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=mattl@romanarmytalk>Matt L</A> at: 2/13/05 5:13 am<br></i>
<br>
Given that the Roman sword blades I've seen pictured have simply a long, thin tang, there's no way they could be balanced the way, for example, a Medieval sword with a solid pommel would be; that is, of course, unless the pommel of a Roman sword were filled with lead or something. One of the experts would have to answer to this question. Carlton is right anyway, balance is certainly important for a long weapon like a broadsword or a sabre, but I would suspect a light, short stabbing weapon like a Gladius wouldn't have nearly as much need for it.<br>
<br>
As for your Gladius, Spatha, mine was much the same- but I modified it based on real artifacts. It started out like this:<br>
<br>
<img src="http://img147.exs.cx/img147/3512/gladiia9wt.jpg" style="border:0;"/><br>
<br>
with all kinds of flaws- the black leather on the scabbard, its chape and locket, and I wasn't happy with the handguard, handle and pommel- so, I re-worked it all, and now it looks like this:<br>
<br>
<img src="http://img177.exs.cx/img177/9075/pompeiigladivsnew2a0md.jpg" style="border:0;"/><br>
<br>
It was a fair amount of work making the new parts and altering the brass hardware, but it wasn't that hard, wasn't terribly costly, and it makes a huge difference.<br>
<br>
Vale<br>
<br>
Matt <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=mattl@romanarmytalk>Matt L</A> at: 2/13/05 5:13 am<br></i>
See FABRICA ROMANORVM Recreations in the Marketplace for custom helmets, armour, swords and more!
