05-24-2005, 10:23 PM
Marcus,
There was always variation and cross over, but in the 3rd century there were two basic types of spatha. I should at this point also say there were still short swords as well, the so called semi-spathae - but they are for another day... Back to the spatha, to quote B&C- firstly the long narrow Straubing/Nydam type blade, and secondly the shorter wider Lauriacum/Hromowka type.
Long thin was 650mm-800mm, with a 44mm maximum width. It slightly tapered and had a fairly small tip. Shorter wider was 557mm-655mm with a maximum width of 62-75mm. They had parallel sides and a triangular point. Tangs for both were rectangular, but the blade cross section tended to be more lenticular (particularly for the Lauriacum/Hromowka type), than 1st and 2nd Century types, which generally had a diamond cross-section. Fullers are more common with Lauriacum/Hromowka type.
So to answer your question I think for a 25" blade, I would be tempted to go wider, say 2.5"-3", parallel edges and a triangular point. Fullers optional, but double or quadruple ones would look good.
I currently do not have a scanner, but I would be more than willing to send you copies of the blade scale drawing I have for the time period.
Andrew
There was always variation and cross over, but in the 3rd century there were two basic types of spatha. I should at this point also say there were still short swords as well, the so called semi-spathae - but they are for another day... Back to the spatha, to quote B&C- firstly the long narrow Straubing/Nydam type blade, and secondly the shorter wider Lauriacum/Hromowka type.
Long thin was 650mm-800mm, with a 44mm maximum width. It slightly tapered and had a fairly small tip. Shorter wider was 557mm-655mm with a maximum width of 62-75mm. They had parallel sides and a triangular point. Tangs for both were rectangular, but the blade cross section tended to be more lenticular (particularly for the Lauriacum/Hromowka type), than 1st and 2nd Century types, which generally had a diamond cross-section. Fullers are more common with Lauriacum/Hromowka type.
So to answer your question I think for a 25" blade, I would be tempted to go wider, say 2.5"-3", parallel edges and a triangular point. Fullers optional, but double or quadruple ones would look good.
I currently do not have a scanner, but I would be more than willing to send you copies of the blade scale drawing I have for the time period.
Andrew
