Gladius blades

[Marcus Mummius]

Salvete,

How wide and long was the average pompei gladius blade? I think an article appeared in Exercitus about the exessive width of replica gladii. What would be a good length and width?

And another question: a standard battle sword would not have been as perfect in appearence as most perfect replicas. But just how imperfect would such a sword have been? Would it still have had pits and hammermarks?

Kind regards,

[Matthew Amt]

What would be a good length and width?

From what I know, about 18" long by 1-1/2" to 1-3/4" wide.

But just how imperfect would such a sword have been? Would it still have had pits and hammermarks?

Probably not hammermarks so much, since skilled smiths could hammer a surface pretty darn smoothly even before final grinding. But the point or edges could be asymmetrical, and you'd probably see some "crayfish" or slag inclusions in the metal.

Vale,

Matthew