Hello there, I'm a new collector, so please have some mercy on me. I have been looking for a Roman Gladius to add to my rather small collection (which contains one rather poor Deepeka Seax). At the most I am willing to spend $400 (around £255 for me). After looking for a bit, I found a Gladius made by someone called TFW. I had never heard of them before but the Gladius looked good, at least from my novice perspective. It's already sharp which is a bonus. I then put it into my cart to see how much it would cost if I were to buy it. It came to around $418 (£267) including the shipping, which is $74. Would any experts here say that this sword was worthy of such a price or if it had any accuracy, I would be grateful. If I did get it, I would not use it a whole lot, just swing it around for a bit and then put it back into display.

TFW Roman Gladius
http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=...n+Gladius+

I was also looking at a cheaper alternative that caught my aye, though I imagine that the historical accuracy of it is appalling. But I have a fetish for sheaths.

Windlass Gladius
http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=...s+Gladius#

A gladius was my second option to a Heavy Cavalry Sabre, but my dreams were denied by the UK having a law that stops curved blades over 50 centimeters being imported. Many thanks to anyone that helps, have a good day.

Well, than why wouldn't you buy from UK stores? Quite a bit of choice...

Roman:
http://www.theknightshop.co.uk/catalog/swords...61700aee3b

Sabers:
http://www.theknightshop.co.uk/catalog/swords...61700aee3b

I've been happy with my Praetorian from Valiant Armory. On sale now too, at 280 USD. If you want a more elaborate scabbard, I know he is able to do something. I think the steel is better than either option from KOA.

http://www.customswordshoppe.com/shoppe/produ...0qpbbd2bk6

As far as historical accuracy goes, unfortunately, none of those are worth the money. I would not let any of my legionaries carry them at a public historical event without EXTENSIVE modifications, and the Windlass one is a total loss. Sorry...

Your best bet for something "off the shelf" is the Deepeeka "N" Series Pompeii gladius,

http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AH4211N

It's not perfect (the grip is too long, for one thing), but it's worlds better than anything else I've seen.

Two other possibilities are the Deepeeka Mainz gladii. I have not gotten my hands on the latest versions, so I don't want to swear to their accuracy, but the photos look all right. The scabbard for one of them used to be kind of huge, don't know if they've tweaked that or not. Deepeeka does get feedback from reenactors, though they don't always listen to it, and details can change without notice.

http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AH2005

http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AH4209

Just as a word of warning, it seems that items with long-winded "history lessons" are likely to be LESS historically accurate than those with a brief description! And it's also a safe bet that ANY "ancient" item from Windlass is a movie prop at BEST.

Deepeeka gladii are kind of an "industry standard" in Roman reenacting. Some of us fuss more about the details than others, but they have the benefit of being readily available. They can actually cost less than swords that are LESS accurate. As has been noted, there are vendors in the UK so you can save a ton of shipping, though I've heard that Kult of Athena has a good reputation.

Oh! My Legio XX site:

http://www.larp.com/legioxx/gladius.html

(Needs a little updating, but should help!)

Good luck and Vale!

Matthew

Kult of Athena has a Del tin gladius.
That's solid. In your price range and highly recommended to last.

Just as a bit of insight, TFW has a reputation for making very good blades (very sharp, durable, balanced) but also a reputation for being horribly inaccurate (their "Claymore" is really an Anduril prop design made into a real sword). So if you're the type to do cutting and don't mind the historical inaccuracies too much, go get it. If you're buying it for the historical accuracy, and if you want it for display, maybe not.

Hi Matthew,

I see on your website you say "NOTE: Deepeeka is modifying their gladii, and the much-improved versions should be available shortly."

Has this happened and do you know what we should look out for?

Thanks!
William

Hello Luke.
I would second Del Tin, but you can also have a look here:
http://www.outfit4events.com/eur/product/9000-gladius-fulham/
If you ask they can make the grip shorter and the pommel - round. You can also choose the sharp blade option.

This https://www.armamentaria.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_2&products_id=131 could also be an option and it comes with a nice scabbard.

Unfortunately I can't comment on quality and historicall accuracy, but I hope others will share opinion.

Good luck with your choice and please, don't forget to show us the new addition to your collection.

where i the UK are you? Happy to help advise, I'm in Wales.

Quote:

Heavy Cavalry Sabre

If you mean the 1796 heavy cav sword then they are easy to get, i have many as I'm in 1RD (Waterloo prep going very well!) or the 1796 Light cavalry sabre which is available here too.
[url]
http://www.militaria.co.uk/militaria.asp?CatN...d=1623#PIC

Jeremy lists the sabre as a sword. Which its not!
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Yes, I am working on 6 Roman word models right now. We are changing them quite a bit. They should be ready to show off at the end of this month.

Gagan

Hey!

The del tin gladius is very good and solid but fits a very small hand

I have several gladii

The best is albion with angus trim blade
Then BKS custom (decent blade, nightmare people to work with )
And mark morrow

Check him out. His tough historical work is also beautiful and roughly in your price range

Hmm. From playing with Viking swords and tulwars where I like a snug grip, I think 7.5-8cm might be ideal for my average sized hands, so I might find the Del Tin gladii very good.

If you're up for a hobby project, I actually think getting a tempered Maintz gladius blade from Albion would be a good way to go. I wish I knew more about the construction of the gladius in general, but it seems to me that most of the hilt construction is wood with few other metallic parts - only the peen and the guard face are of apparent metal construction, with the guard face most likely being bronze. If I'm wrong on any of these assessments, I sure someone here could point out the problems.

The Albion blade should cost you about $200 USD if you go that route.

I'd also like to throw in that, while Windlass may be in the B or C grade range as far as absolute quality goes, you do get a lot for your dollar spent. If you are interested in using a weapon against a pell or swinging target, a Windlass product is really hard to beat as one you didn't have to sink a large sum into. In fact, you might want to consider the Windlass Qama as a "poor man's gladius" for a striking trainer. I will personally recommend that particular sword, owning one myself; I do not think you can buy a better sword for the meager cost of $40.