Roman Long Spatha with Scabbard, 2nd c.

Roman Long Spatha with Scabbard, 2nd c.

As from the late 2nd c. AD, the long Roman spatha gradually started to supersede the shorter gladius. By the 3rd c., it had already become the standard weapon of the imperial Roman legionaries and auxiliaries and was also commonly used by gladiators. The exact origins of the spatha as well as the reasons why it replaced the efficient, highly feared gladius so quickly during the mid to late Roman Empire are still very much debated among historians, archaeologists and Ancient Rome enthusiasts alike until today. Although spathae are commonly believed to be of Celtic descent and to have owed their fast popularity to changes in fighting techniques and military tactics in both the Roman infantry and cavalry, the lack of reliable sources on the subject unfortunately often leads to speculations and over-simplifications of a much more complex reality.

The long, double-edged blade of the Roman long sword we offer here is forged out of EN45 spring steel (not tempered, not hardened). The edges are not sharpened and the blade's full tang is screwed to the pommel (brass top nut). The hilt with semi-circular guard and pommel is entirely made of wood.

This Roman one-handed sword comes complete with a brown wood-and-leather scabbard with brass throat, chape and suspension loop (max. belt width 5.5cm). The most distinctive feature of this sheath is obviously the decorative, oversized round plate used as end piece (also known as disc chape or pillbox chape).

Please note that this sword is not a battle ready weapon. It is designed as a collector's or decoration/display piece and is not suited for combat reenactment. Besides its quality as a collectible, it is also perfectly suited as a prop, e.g. to complete your costume.

Specifications:

• Material: EN45 spring steel blade (high carbon steel, not stainless), wooden hilt
• Overall length: approx. 100.5cm (with scabbard approx. 105cm)
• Blade length: approx. 82.5cm
• Blade thickness: approx. 4.5mm / 2.6mm (cutting edges approx. 1mm)
• Hilt length: approx. 18cm (grip approx. 9.5cm)
• Max. blade width: approx. 4.5cm
• Point of balance: approx. 27cm from the guard
• Incl. wooden scabbard with genuine leather cover and brass fittings
• Scabbard width at mouth: approx. 7cm
• Scabbard width before the chape: approx. 4.5cm
• Diameter of the scabbard's disc chape: approx. 11cm
• Weight without scabbard: approx. 0.9 kg
• Weight with scabbard: approx. 1.45 kg

Specs may slightly vary from piece to piece.

The steel used here is not rust-proof and might show slight surface tarnishing in places. We recommend you to maintain the blade on a regular basis, for example using Ballistol Universal Oil, which is ideally suited for steel care.