Re-hilting Materials

[Gaius_Calvus]

Am going to re-hilt a Mainz Gladius, and am looking for 2.5" - 3" walnut balls which I will shape into the pommel. In addition, am also looking for a source for the brass pommel cap over which I will peen the tang.

I don't have a lathe, and I noticed on the Legio XX "Gladius Hints" that starting with a ball was a good method.

Can anyone help?

Thanks,

Calvus

[Magnus]

Try a regular hobby store...not sure if you'll find walnut, but I found maple balls...2" - 2.25" diameter ones too, perfect for gladii pommels. Then I just cut a chunk of maple for the guard and i was done. You'll probably be able to get a small 4 X 10 inch sheet of brass there (in varrying thicknesses) as well.

[Gaivs Antonivs Satvrninvs]

Salve Calvus.
Having seen your attention to authenticity
you may not want to use anything but walnut.
However, I recently purchased a 2" ball just
for that purpose from a local "Hobby" store
for a dollar or so. Not sure what wood but I'm
pretty sure it's not walnut for that price.
Very good shape and size,though and could be oiled
to give a nice color. Just needs the hole drilled.
Maybe an online furniture supplier has "ball feet"
made of walnut.Might work,too.

Thanks for your tips on peening rivets.Very helpful.

vale,

p.s. nice avatar.

[Gaius_Calvus]

Thanks, guys.

Andy -- the wood you have is probably white birch, which I can find by the thousand. I don't want to stain it dark because the grain is too large.

I will keep looking. At the end of the day, I may have to locate a lathe.

Salvete

[Primvs Pavlvs]

Gaius,

I have a flattened disc pommel that I made for a friends Mainz, but he decided to keep the one he has.

I took a 2 inch hole saw and cut it out of a piece of walnut I had. Then I took a bolt round 4 inches long and put it through the hole and chucked it up in my drill. Be sure to use a nut with a washer to tighten it before sticking it in the drill.

I used a wood rasp to shape it will it was turning in the drill. Made for a poormans lathe that works relatively well for what it really is. Once all the shaping was done I used various grits of sandpaper to smooth it out, and finally steel wool.

As for the brass pommel cap I would suggest cutting either a brass, or iron washer it peen it on. Or you can go to a lamp shop, or even Lowes to find a brass lamp finial and modify it.

Hope this ramble gives you some idea that it’s fairly easy to do yourself with basic tools

[Gaius_Calvus]

Paul,

Thanks -- the poor man's lathe sounds feasible. I may give that a try before I go to a professional.

Calvus

[LUCIUS ALFENUS AVITIANUS]

andy booker\\n[quote]Salve Calvus.
Having seen your attention to authenticity
you may not want to use anything but walnut.
quote]

Why? That pommel is clearly not walnut:

http://www.romancoins.info/milit-gladius-griff.jpg

[Gaius_Calvus]

Right you are. What is it? What would you suggest as a better option in a hardwood?

Always open to suggestions.

Salve,

Calvus

[Primvs Pavlvs]

Maple, Apple, Cherry, Beech, any fruit trees

[Gaius_Calvus]

Gratias, Paulus.

[Matt Lukes]

Black walnut just looks the coolest :wink:

[Tarbicus]

I took a 2 inch hole saw and cut it out of a piece of walnut I had. Then I took a bolt..........

you can go to a lamp shop, or even Lowes to find a brass lamp finial and modify it.

Hope this ramble gives you some idea that it’s fairly easy to do yourself with basic tools

Genius.

[Gaius_Calvus]

Matt,

My thoughts exactly. And since you da man, I think that's what I'm using (unless I really decide to be cool and go with African Blackwood, otherwise known to the ancients as ebony).

By the way, your pics on hilts/scabbards were my inspiration for this project. (I like your stuff so much you're also making my lorica fittings! )

Gratias to all,

Calvus (Edge Gibbons)

[emj1s]

Hey Edge,

I have a Hobby Lobby I could get you something if you needed it and bring it along to Castra if you're going. they have a huge sale going on now. I'm loving it!

[Gaius_Calvus]

Matt,

Thanks, but I think I'm going to be able to find the Black Walnut I want, and have found a place here in Atlanta that I can go and learn to turn this myself.

If that changes, I'll be sure and let you know. Appreciate the offer of assistance, Frater.

Vale