Advice needed on hispaniensis pommels........

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

As it states, I could use some advice on the types that were found on the hispaniensis.
I know of the tri-lobate, and the one with the nails in the pommel, but what other types could be feasible for this sword?
I plan to use it for late Republic/Caesarian/early principate impressions, so any advice from the experts would be greatly appreciated.

[Tarbicus]

For my late Caesarian to mid-Augustan impression I'm more than happy with this (the sword, not the scabbard):
http://www.hotmovieprops.com/images/rom ... -sword.jpg

[Matthew Amt]

Well, when I did the research for my own hispaniensis a few years ago, there were no surviving pommels or hilts at all! Only blades, and artwork. So I had to interpolate from things like the Ahenobarbus relief. Some folks have gone with a lobed pommel, I used a cylindrical one. The Delos sword has those radial nails at the pommel, but I'm still not sure if they are at the very top and wrap down over the top of the pommel, or if they simply form a row of studs around the "equator". Or something else!

My inclination is to try to keep a hispaniensis hilt from looking too much like a typical Mainz or Pompeii hilt, but I don't have much of a rational reason for that! Some sort of spiral grooving on the grip helps. I also ended up making the guard and pommel a tad taller than I really liked. But now I'm used to it!

http://www.larp.com/legioxx/hispan1.jpg

I don't recall any significant new finds, but might be forgetting something. Anyone else?

Matthew

[Theodosius the Great]

Of course, I'm no expert but FWIW I plan to go with a tri-lobate pommel.

To justify a Caesarian impression I'm using the tombstone of Minucius :

http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/component/ ... Itemid,94/

To justify a 1st C. AD auxiliary I'm using the Palmyrene deities relief :

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... eities.jpg

The latter's close proximity to Judea helps me a lot since I'm going for a 'Judean' Auxiliary in the time of Christ. But, since I assume you're going for a Western impression maybe a Mainz would better suit your needs ?

My inclination is to try to keep a hispaniensis hilt from looking too much like a typical Mainz or Pompeii hilt, but I don't have much of a rational reason for that!

I asked Ross Cowan about a Tiberian era hilt for a gladius hispaniensis and he suggested a Mainz style one since the Romans were into recycling good blades. 'Mainz' was the latest fashion so...

(BTW, I love your Mark Morrow blades ! I'll have him make mine too. :wink: )

For my late Caesarian to mid-Augustan impression I'm more than happy with this (the sword, not the scabbard):
http://www.hotmovieprops.com/images/rom ... -sword.jpg

Nice shape. The blade measures 22.5 inches long ? That's on the small side, IIRC. The average was closer to 25, I think. It's a matter of personal taste, too, I know.

~Theo

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Thanks for the advice guys. I guess old Micinius gets good milage.
Well , I have mark Morrow blades, which are pretty nice for sure, one sharp one not.
The tri-lobe would look great in walnut, but then I also like the later pommel. :?
Guess I had better make a decision. :|

[Theodosius the Great]

If you do decide to go with a tri-lobe, may I ask if you intend to buy one, make it yourself or have someone else make it ?

Armillum is the only place I know that sells tri-lobe pommels. Some complain that it's too flat, it needs to bulge out more. Maybe a filer can easily fix that though ?

If not, I plan to hire a wood carver to make one from scratch. I doubt I can make one. :| ...

~Theo

[Tarbicus]

Not sure if the wood is what you're after, but the shapes are spot on:
http://armillum.com/tienda/index.php?ma ... Path=3_103

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Thanks Jim/Matt.
I have some of them already for my own projects, but for this particular one, I have gone with an expert,
as it is too nice a sword for me to practice on!! Plus he will be doing a scabbard for them as well!