Alina, I contacted Albion this week and Mike Sigman confessed
they are sure to discontinue the Koln Spatha, but at the moment
can meet orders ... one of which I placed ! B-)

Matthew, I already said this I know, but these are excellent photos. Do you have any close-ups of the hilts?

Here's a closer look at the rugged baskethilt courtesy
Thomas McDonald ( hope I spelled his name right ! ).
Note the " antiqued " look ... If I recall correctly, this was
intended -- and not the product of neglect ... B-)

And here is a close-up of the red silk ito rewrap and blackened
fittings of my East Coast Martial Arts katana ... Henry Ahmu
replaced the original doe-skin wrap, blacked the brass colored
fuchi and kashira, and replaced the tsuba with a Paul Chen
Crane tsuba ... If you had or have seen this sword BEFORE
Henry got his hands on it, you would NEVER think it was the
same afterward ! B-)

A close up of the tsuka of one of my pride and joys, the Yukiyatsu
... as said, I ordered the blade in shirasaya, designed the fittings
and tusba myself, chose the color scheme, made some changes
with reagards to Henry's thoughtful reccomendations ... and I
couldn't have asked for a better result ! B-)

Well, my Albion Baron finally returned from Christian Fletcher
with its new home ... Here's the design I drew up for CF ...

And here's CF's finished work ... B-)

A closer look at the hilt and grip and throat of
the scabbard with its peace-ties ... CF did a
great job matching up the colors ...

Another full length shot ...

And the detailed engraving I requested ... a personal
design of my own, once put on t-shirts and business
cards ... B-)

Well, for quite some time I promised myself I would eventually
grab ahold of an Albion Koln Spatha -- just something about the
fine woodword of the hilt and pommel drew me into the purchase.

Finally ! After about a month on order, what appears to be one of
the LAST Albion Koln Spatha's arrived on my doorstep ! ( I've lately
checked Albion's site, and the Koln has vanished ! although one
may still possible order the blade through Christian Fletcher ) ...

I have to admit, although aware of the specs -- 27 3/4 inch blade,
35 1/2 inch total length ; less than 2 inch wide at the cross and
1 1/4 inch one inch from the point -- I actually expected a more
imposing presence. Maybe something more comparable in size
and appearance to my Pompei gladius. However, with a lil surfing
and reading I came to a better understanding of the spatha -- and
in fact the blade DID make enough of an impression that I visualized
the scabbard in its future !!!

I'm sure the NEXT generation models of Roman
swords from Albion will look phenomenal ... but
the craftsmanship on the Koln is still exceptional !