Roman Pompeii Gladius – Windlass Steelcrafts
In stock
Price range: $145.00 through $269.95
- Shipping estimated at checkout
- Every blade inspected before shipping
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Overall Length
- 28''
- Weight
- 1 lb 12 oz
- Brand
- Windlass Steelcrafts
- Culture
- Roman
Overview
Roman Pompeii Gladius - Windlass Steelcrafts
The sword that conquered most of the known world. The simple but brutally effective Roman gladius was the primary weapon of the Roman soldier. This version is based on historic examples excavated from the ruins of Pompeii and dates to about 100 AD. The Roman Pompeii Gladius features an unsharpened, functional, high carbon steel blade and turned handle of ash and maple wood. Includes a matching wood scabbard with leather covering and brass accents.
Specifications
Every measurement that matters
- Brand
- Windlass Steelcrafts
- Culture
- Roman
- Pommel
- Threaded
- Overall Length
- 28''
- Blade Length
- 19 1/2''
- Weight
- 1 lb 12 oz
- Edge
- Unsharpened
- P.O.B.
- 4 3/8''
- Thickness
- 4.4 mm - 3.8 mm
- Width
- 54 mm
- Grip Length
- 3 7/16''
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Country of Origin
- India
- Type
- Gladius
Reviews
What collectors are saying
Q&A
Questions from the community
Q What variant of gladius is this? Common Question
A Pompeii-type Roman gladius dating to around 100 AD, based on archaeological finds from Pompeii.
Q How does it handle and where is the balance point? Common Question
It’s a short, quick sword with a point of balance at about 4 3/8 inches from the guard, giving lively maneuverability for thrusts and cuts.
Q Is the blade sharpened and suitable for cutting? Common Question
It is supplied unsharpened from the maker. Buyers commonly sharpen for test-cutting; check local laws and safety practices before doing so.
Q What materials are used in the blade and hilt? Common Question
The blade is high carbon steel. The turned grip is ash wood with maple guard and pommel; a steel plate reinforces the guard, secured with a brass nut on a threaded pommel.
Q What are the key dimensions and weight? Common Question
Overall length 28 inches; blade length 19 1/2 inches; width 54 mm; thickness tapers from 4.4 mm to 3.8 mm; grip length 3 7/16 inches; weight about 1 lb 12 oz.
Q What comes with the sword? Common Question
A wood scabbard covered in leather with brass fittings and accents.
Q Is it appropriate for reenactment or training? Common Question
Classed as battle ready with a durable high carbon steel blade; suitable for costume, display, and controlled drilling. For contact reenactment, follow event rules and use appropriate safety gear.
Q Where is it manufactured? Common Question
Made by Windlass Steelcrafts in India.
Q How should I maintain the sword and scabbard? Common Question
Keep the blade lightly oiled to prevent rust; avoid prolonged storage in the leather-covered scabbard; condition the leather occasionally and keep wood dry and clean.
Q What historical features does the design reflect? Common Question
Straight-edged Pompeii gladius form with a short, tapered point optimized for thrusting, echoing Roman legionary sidearms of the 1st–2nd century AD.
Video
See it in motion
The Roman gladius: Was it really a sword for thrusting only?
The Maker
Windlass Steelcrafts
Windlass Steelcrafts not only creates props, clothing, and accessories to customers and popular TV productions, but also military supplies to governments across six continents – a testament to their expertise and quality. Their weapons, armor, shields, clothing and accessories are top notch quality for a price you can’t beat.
Often paired together
An Excellent Gladius The gladius itself is very well constructed. The hilt is rock solid: the pommel and guard are maple, while the handle itself is ash – this makes for a nice, subtle contrast. A steel plate covers the base of the guard. The whole hilt is held tightly together by a brass nut.
The blade is, as far as I can tell, an accurate copy of the Pompeii type blade. It has a diamond cross section and a mirror polish. Mine came wickedly sharp.
Balance is excellent (due in part to the shorter length of the blade), though the large pommel restricts holds to the hammer grip.
The sheath was well constructed and solid, but was somewhat carelessly put together. The guard does not sit flush against the mouth of the sheath, and some of the fittings are off center, but the brass fittings are strong and tight and nothing rattles or moves. The leather is nicely stretched over the solid wood core, and feels smooth with no wrinkles.
I tested this gladius on several water-filled milk jugs and plastic bottles placed on top of a thick plastic trash can. Due to my bad form, several of my swings sliced the jugs cleanly in half and then proceeded to slash deep into the trash can. I tried stabbing, and was almost scared by the ease that this sword slid through the targets. Once again I got a little carried away, and accidentally put the blade right through the bottom of the trash can on a downward thrust.
Historical accuracy is not perfect, as the handles of actual Roman gladii were apparently made of bone, and the plate of metal between the blade and the guard was recessed into the wood rather then secured on the surface as it is in this model. Aside from those details, this particular gladius is one of the more authentic reproductions out there, second only to Albion in my opinion (Deepka gladii are also more accurate then this gladius, but can suffer from blade tempering problems).
Overall, this is one of my favorite swords, and well worth the money.
Great Pompeii gladius sword. Just what I was looking for. Came in very sharp, and balanced. Thanks to YouTuber Skallagrim recommending this site, and which gladius swords are mostly accurate or close to accurate. Overall, it’s a great sword. Would recommend!
Very good sword.
The sheath is better then the one in the Maintz model
First off, I’m not an expert on swords, so maybe some of this comes from my lack of experience. But compared to the first sword I bought, the one I received has several issues that are hard to overlook.
• The handle looks cracked, and it almost seems like it was repaired with hot glue or something similar.
• The blade feels loose when striking, and if I move it side to side, it wobbles enough that it feels like it might come off.
• The scabbard (or sheath—sorry, still learning the terminology) seems unfinished on the inside. Every time I draw the sword, it comes out with debris on it, like pieces of wood or something similar.
Overall, I’m pretty disappointed.
Beautiful light fast thruster, well balanced, blade had a bow that was ever so slight looking down the edge but nothing that would I don’t think affect this type of sword over well built windlass blade, great self defense I would think!