Sword find at Vindolanda yesterday, June 24!

[richsc]

Still sharp they say. Should have photo.

https://mobile.twitter.com/VindolandaTru...6971868160

[PhilusEstilius]

That is a tremendous find and I do like the shape of the tang which might indicate that it is a weapon meant for swinging so can it be a later type spatha for it does not mention what period it is from.

[markusaurelius]

I've dug there before and loved the experience. What a great find! Hopefully we will find more info out about it

[Robert]

period 4, 105-122AD. Tungrians and Vardulli cavalry is what Vindolanda Trust says. So it is likely to be classed a spatha.

[PhilusEstilius]

Robert.
I think where we use the measurement scale it does look to be in the region of about 4.5 cm blade width, and of course the taper of the tang does indeed give it that bit more strength for downwards or side swing.
Here again is maybe the type of striker plate it might have had fitted to the shoulder of the blade for this one in my collection is just about the size where it is 4.5 at that point with only 3.5 on its other side nearer the wood hand guard due to its taper and the blade thickness for this striker plate is in the region of about 7 mm that indicates a strong thickness for such a blade.

[attachment=10216]strikep.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=10217]strikep1.jpg[/attachment]