Roman Thin Pilum – Deepeeka
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Price range: $111.99 through $139.99
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Overview
Roman Thin Pilum - Deepeeka
The Roman Legionary javelin, the Pilum was a tactical innovation in ancient warfare; the thin head shaft, usually made from soft iron, was designed to bend upon impact, making it impossible for Romes foes to throw their pilum back at them. A legionnaire typically carried two pilum into battle, and they were to be thrown moments before battle was joined to disrupt enemy formations. Many of Romes barbarian foes fought in a shield wall formation of interlocked shields. The pilum that didnt outright kill opponents would often be embedded within shields, rendering them useless and unwieldy. The pilum struck with considerable force, and some versions were designed with weights and armor piercing heads that could penetrate shields to kabob the warrior behind. Pilum came in several varieties, this variant being the thin pilum.
This pilum has a blackened steel head mounted onto a hardwood shaft. The butt-cap is tapered wood with blackened metal plate overlaid.
Specifications
Every measurement that matters
- Brand
- Deepeeka
- Culture
- Roman
- Era
- Ancient
- Overall Length
- 85''
- Weight
- 5 lb 6.2 oz
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Country of Origin
- India
- Type
- Pilum
- Head Length
- 31 1/8''
Reviews
What collectors are saying
Q&A
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The Maker
Deepeeka
Deepeeka creates an astonishing variety of replica weapons, armor, and re-enactment accessories that range from Classical Antiquity to the 20th Century. Deepeeka has been crafting replicas since the 1980s and their products are essential gear for many re-enactment groups. Many swords, daggers and other weapons made by Deepeeka are durably crafted and budget-friendly offerings. The steel is good and well-tempered and their leathercraft and woodworking are of excellent quality. Deepeeka’s products are handcrafted and (in the case of blades, hand-hammered) are a good deal for those who want a quality item at a good price.
Kult of Athena is the US distributor for Deepeeka products and we offer the largest in-stock selection you will find and we will beat any price you can find. If you are searching for a particular item or find a Deepeeka item listed elsewhere that is not seen on our site let us know and if it is available we can source it for you at a better price than seen elsewhere.
Often paired together
The Pilum just came in, and I must say the weapon is perfect for the Roman Legionnaire, it just feels perfect in the hand, and yet light and strong at the same time. I’ve tested this weapon out on a few targets and even some shields, and it seems that the pilum has managed to do its job, and yet not even broken the head from the weapon.
Well-balanced and feels great in the hand!
The Pros – The pilum is well balanced, light, and fairly cheap. I have no javelin throwing experience and am moderately fit from prior military service, and I could throw this with tangibly good accuracy and range (around 30 yards). The steel penetrator head doesn’t appear to be liable to bend or break, and could not be bent by hand as you could with soft iron.
The Con – Javelin wooden shaft broke right at the screw fixture on about the 10th throw. There is no tang, just two short 1/2 in (modern) screws that are painted over that affix the conical steel head over the tapered shaft.
Fortunately this is repairable, as the shaft is very long it gives me plenty of room to repair, but I would have to replace the shaft completely to have a better peace of mind. My town also has a local historical blacksmith who works at a museum, so it would be easy for me to replace the screws with a more period-appropriate iron fixture.