[Alain D.]

Are there any good sources for quality Roman arms and armor (besides Albion gladii)? I've seen Deepeeka products mentioned, but I've also heard they have poor quality control and questionable historical accuracy. Is a $130 - $200 Deepeeka helmet really a quality piece?

[Chuck Russell]

the new deepeekas are as good as it gets unless you want to spend 400+ in the custom made section. Yes some have flaws etc but that is to be expected etc. The best place I've seen is Kult of Athena or soul of the warrior that sells these helms. i once got one from KOA that did not look like the photo, they promptly returned the piece and replaced my money

[Christian P.]

there are many:

Mark Morrow for blades or complete gladius, also for pugio, shield boss, etc.

Matt Lukes for almost anything from armor to pillum.

Helmets are expensive if you go custom. Personally I'm waiting for new stuff from DSC. For the price, Deepeka is hard to beat but quality control is an issue.

[Alain D.]

What about a historically accurate pilum? How do the Deepeeka or Hanwei models compare with others?

[Matthew Amt]

I'd have to take another look up-close at the current Deepeeka pila to give a good assessment, but I'd be careful. Their old ones were huge battering rams! The new ones are certainly an improvement, but... Custom work is probably your best bet. I wouldn't touch anything "Roman" from Hanwei, I'm afraid. DSC (Daniyal Steelcrafts) has impressed the heck out of me with several of their recent items, but I don't know if they make a pilum or not.

Also be aware that even Deepeeka still offers an enormous amount of junk! Stick to helmets with "N" at the end of the catalog number--those have been revised with close supervision from People Who Really Know. Yeah, there are still problems now and then, they aren't necessarily perfect, but you can easily spend a thousand bucks on a custom-made helmet that is a lot less accurate! It all depends on how much the armorer knows, or *thinks* he knows. I really like Deepeeka's Gallic F helmet, one of their best in my opinion. But several others are just fine, as well.

The Roman Army Talk board actually has a Deepeeka subsection in their Marketplace area,

http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/

My own humble site might help, too,

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

Yell for more advice if you need it!

Matthew

[Emmet J. McGauran]

Do Deepeeka still only make blunt gladii?

I've been after a good sharpened gladius for ages now, but the only thing that seems to suit what I want (and be reasonably available in the UK) is an Albion, and I can't afford any more of their range right now.

[Alain D.]

Wow, thanks Matthew, that's really helpful. In your opinion, does Deepeeka make quality Roman weapons or Lorica Segmentata for the price? Is there anything else (gladii or armor) $350 or less that would be better? I'm really not looking for top of the line, necessarily, just something basic and as historically accurate as possible for the price range.

Thanks

-Alain

[Matthew Amt]

I'd say that Deepeeka's Pompeii gladius is the best off-the-shelf gladius available (not counting Albion!). Their Mainz looks great, but the scabbard came out huge, for some reason. Their lorica is about the best you'll find for that money, the biggest problem being that it only comes in one size. Always order from a vendor with a good return policy, and don't bother ordering if the item you want is not in stock. And really be careful of places that do not clearly identify the manufacturer, since they may be selling things which look like Deepeeka products but are spinoffs by another company--those will always have more inaccuracies.

Emmet, as far as I know Deepeeka's regular swords are blunt, though I don't know about their "Damascus" blades. It shouldn't be too hard to sharpen them up, though, they aren't all THAT blunt! But you might ask David Hare about sharp blades, he's done a few gorgeous gladii for my troops. He's listed on my Suppliers page,

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

Valete!

Matthew

[Emmet J. McGauran]

Thanks for that Matthew.

This may be a silly question given that his address is 'Pompeiiswords' (and I should probably just email and ask him myself) but do you know if he makes Mainz or Fulham type gladii as well as Pompeii?

[Matthew Amt]

You're welcome! I have a vague recollection of seeing a photo of a Mainz or Fullham that David Hare made, but I may be thinking of someone else. Best to ask him! And let us know, please!

Vale,

Matthew

[Philip Melhop]

Hi Matthew
i'm an occasional roman re-enactor and general sword fan, many thanks for your excellent website it answers roman related questions I hadn't even thought of
Anyhow, in a fit of financial extravagance I purchased an Albion Mainz pattern gladius. I'm very pleased with it but would like a critique of the weapon from a well informed source, namely you
I did search extensively before buying and could only find positive comments. Shame there isn't a decent pugio to go with it
Thanks
Phil

[Matthew Amt]

[Philip Melhop]

Hi Matthew
many thanks for that, my gladius is off to Tod for a scabbard, the cardboard sheath just doesn't do it justice When I can accumulate some more "free" cash the Fulham gladius will be coming home too.
Thanks
Phil