cheapest way to arm yourself

[Mauritius]

Ok heres my question :?:

Wanting to know if any of the swords on eBay can be made into a acceptable standard reason I’m asking is made up of 2 parts

1 they are cheap may have to equip several people and budget no existent
2 they are cheap would I be able to spend the time on bring them up to scratch / standard

unless someone know a cheap diy route ?? ( i must find a different word for cheap ) :oops:

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

economical?

[Marcus Hortensius Castus]

I DO know that in ACW reenacting you can get economy starting packages including the shell jacket/sack coat, kepi, pants, suspenders, a shirt, and a belt. Then there's another leather starter kit that includes the belt, cartridge belt, cap box, cartridge box, and sometimes a colt holster.

What, you may ask, does this have to do with Roman or other types of ancient reenacting?

Well, even though there's PLENTY of first hand artifacts surviving from teh ACW compared to Roman times, there's still alot that the reenactor needs to do to make it more realistic. the cuts on shell jackets is commonly off in economy models. The color of Gray in confederate (and at times, the union blue) clothes are commonly off by a bit. The "CSA" belt buckle is not as historically accurate in large numbers as the "US," but you get the choice of US or CSA buckles on belts.

So, as with any living history impression, one must make changes his/herself.

It would be nice to have a Roman starter kit offered on websites or any other outlet for the stuff. Maybe it's the deepeeka factory seconds, or old types of equipment, but the person would get a cheap starter kit maybe including the set of a hamata, butted, or segmenta, and a helm, and another of tunica, caligae, belt, Gladius, etc, etc.

No, the "thread counters" would probably not be impressed, but it would be a start, and even though the starting reenactor/living historian may not have a ton of experience in metal work or leatherwork, he would be able to make small adjustments to the pieces to make them more useable. And he could field a full kit for a fraction the cost... then add to it as he went along.

But to keep in with your first post, some of those gladius on ebay or other cheapy sword sites are zinc bladed. my brother is 12 and got a horrendous gladius that is coated in a cheap silvery metal and has a copper or other cheap type of blade. So be carefull; some may be useable, but some are pieces of trash unless you are in the fantasy-home-decor business.

[Mauritius]

thanks for the quick replies

I promise i wont get cut up about them

[Mauritius]

economical?

could try vilis

vili-, vil-
(Latin: cheap, worthless, base, common; low status, low quality)

[Marcus Hortensius Castus]

vilis?

[zugislander]

Hello,

The least expensive method to obtain a reasonable gladius I have seen, and I am slowly trying to do it, is on Matt Amt's site. It involves converting an "Atlanta Cutlery" Qama, into a gladius. These cost about $40. The most difficult part thus far has been removing the rivets which were VERY hard stuff indeed.

Many elements of the rest of the kit can be obtained very reasonably as well if you have the mind and will to do it yourself. I had to look around, but I eventually found a local wood supply store that sold 1/8 inch plywood. One 4'x8' board (which they cut for free for me), $20, makes two shields. Directions on Matt's site again, but basically all you need is a tree, some glue and some rope. A shield boss was available a couple of months ago from King's lance on ebay. He has many issues with a lot of his stuff, but the umbo he offers is pretty good (although too many wholes), and brass, and $20.

The clothes are dirt simple, again easy direction's on Matt's site.

Caligae and the pila are the most difficult parts. Gets easier if you are an auxilia and only need a lancea which is much more common. Depeeka makes a descent pair of caligae, but they need some modification. The pila is harder still but can be obtained from various vendors again listed on Matt's site.

The balteus is the most tricky, but still obtainable. Matt's site offers many ideas on this as well.

All totalled it is about $50 for the sword, $30 for the shield, and about $10 for the clothes. Now a helmet will run you $100, The caligae will run you $50, the Pila will run you $75, and the balteus will run you about $1 per inch of belt at least. So even here you are looking at about $350 for the full kit. Although you might be able to save more money on these last items depending on your skill set available. The pila becomes $25 if it is a lancea. The caligae are $10 if you can sew them yourself. The Balteus is also cheaper if you cut and incise your own designs on the plates.

Best wishes.

Michael

[Mauritius]

thanks for the info

anyone got some uk options / ideas

[Crispvs]

You can make clothing yourself for very little cost. We can advise should you want any specifics but I have put an article on tunics in the beginners section which you might want to have a look at.
Len Morgan can supply you quite cheaply with stamped brass belt plates with a common concentric circle design and if you get yourself to a re-enactors' market you can find leather suppliers who can sell you belt lengths for a fraction of what you would pay in shops. Len also sells buckles.

Check out the fabrica section on our site: www.romanarmy.net

For a sword, you could try David Hare of the Ermine Street Guard (trading as 'Pompeii Swords' - see marketplace), who does a very nice job at a very good price. Otherwise you can try Peronis, who can supply you with most of what you will need in the way of hardware.

Don't be too worried about getting everything together at once. The basic items you will need are a tunic, boots and military belt. Everything else can be added as time and money allows.

Also, you may find good second hand items available. Check the RAT marketplace section on a regular basis but if you do not have a good knowledge of the items you need, ask on RAT before buying something which might look good but turn out to be rubbish.

Lastly, some things will depend on the group you join. The group most local to you is the Colchester Roman Society, whose auxiliary equipment naturally differs somewhat from my own legionary equipment. What ever group you end up joining, it is worth finding out what sort of equipment they use. It would be a shame to purchase a sword, helmet, armour or shield or even make a tunic, if you then found out that the group you joined equipped itself with a different range of gear.

Crispvs

[Marcus Hortensius Castus]

Salve,
Also, you can try (as far as Gladius go) to make your own, as I'm doing; for a starting piece I got some 3' flat stock at a metal supply shop here in town, and with a chop saw, cutting torch (that's when it's good to have welders as friends!) and heavy grinder (and a bench grinder if your lucky) you can make your own blade for about $20 +/-. Then you've gotta either find wood parts, or make your own, out of hardwood; all in all the sword will cost you about $40 plus whatever your tools cost.

As far as scabbards go, you can also make your own, and there's a thread

http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=16884

that will be helpful. Just an idea... and while the flatstock may not be the best metal for swords, it will get you started for cheaper than buying even the cheapest POC out there.

[brennivs - tony drake]

Thanks Horton for useing my scabbard thread as a example D I will see what I can do.
Regards Brennivs

[Quintus Brutii]

Try www.kultofathena.com

It has pretty cheap Roman armor and weapons, and it ships almost anywhere!!

[M. Demetrius]

Have you checked on the Legion XX site under "cheap armor" or something like that? It's geared for theatre, which I gather you are working on.

How many of the soldiers in the play actually have to draw their swords? If not many, then just make them of soft wood, paint the scabbards and hilts, and trim them up like the real ones. Should be just a pound or so. Hide some lead weight in the tip of the scabbard to give them a convincing dangle.

One of the laws of theatre, applied here, is that if ONE sword is drawn, and the other props look the same, then in the mind of the audience, they all turn real. But you know that. And you also know it's not a good idea to give actors sharp things to handle. They bleed on your costumes.

Laud for your efforts, Bro.

[argenfox]

Wondering how the SOTW gladius compares to the find it armory sdk1171 model?? anyone know about either......how are the tangs and blades?

[jvrjenivs]

The blade of the sdk1171 is heavy and doesn't have a full tang, but is a perfect sword for reworking. The SOTW gladius, I don't know.