ACCURIZATION OF THE DEEPEEKA "BONE-HANDLED" POMPEII-PATTERN GLADIUS

Sam Kimpton
Legio II Augusta
(Portland, Oregon)



fig. 1

INTRODUCTION The sword which is the subject of this "accurization" i.e. modification to render a more typical appearance based on the archeological record, is of a type produced by Deepeeka Exports P. LTD. of Meerut, India¹ and marketed as a "Pompeii Gladius" (catalogue number AH4211). Two seperate products are so described differing only in the material from which the grips are fabricated. The subject gladius' grip was of the bone type.

The typology of this sword is based on four swords found in Pompeii dating from the early first century to no later than AD 79.² They are typified by blades having parallel edges and abrupt points. Blade lengths range between 16 1/2 and 20 inches and widths between 1 3/4 and 2 1/4 inches. Departures in the form of handle assemblies of these swords from those of earlier types include a "more pronounced" handguard and pommel shapes trending towards that of "a flattened Sphere". In addition the grip was made to provide a snug fit to the hand of the swords owner.³

The sheath of the Pompeii type sword is of wood covered with leather. The leather sometimes lacked the guttering used to protect the sheath from damage during sheathing and unsheathing of earlier type swords. Seperate lockets and chapes of copper alloy are typical and are normally tinned or silvered. decoration in the form of perforated and incised designs featuring gods on these was more common than not. In addition to these designs palmettes were often placed at the top and bottom edges of the chape and locket respectively along with one palmette positioned distally above the chape along the sheaths centerline. The chape could feature either a decorated plate or an elaborate design.


fig. 2

The most apparent feature of the Deepeeka gladius when first inspected was the handle configuration. The pommel resembled a flattened sphere as described above but was fixed to the tang of the blade by an embedded-brass-hex-head nut (fig. 2 left).⁴ This rather pronounced feature was not only innacurate but impossible to ignore once it was noticed. The grip of the sword was too long for a proper fit of my hand and did not provide a "clean looking" interface between it and the pommel (fig 2. right). The handguard was box-like in shape (fig. 2 right) and featured a brass recessed plate marked "INDIA" The handle assembly was slated for replacement in its entirety.


fig. 3

The sheath of the scabbard featured a chape without a plate but rather surrounding a crude looking and thick brass decoration (fig. 3 right). Origional specimens are often very cheaply made and rough in appearance but the material used for such decoration is universally thin. the palmette above the chape was combined with a smaller decoration of the same atypical thickness as that of the chape design (fig. 3 center). Both of these decorations were held in place by pins which were too long for the thickeness of the sheath wall resulting in abrasion of the sword blade when sheathed and unsheathed (fig. 4). In addition the chape was too long as measured from the scabbard tip.


fig. 4

The bottom edges of the locket lacked their palmettes altogether. The locket plate was decorated after that of an example in Simkins "Warriors of Rome"⁵ yet was not perforated in keeping with its basis (fig. 5).


fig. 5

None of the brass decoration of the sheath was tinned or silvered.

The blade of the gladius was ofthe proper shape and fell within the proper dimensions measuring 2 inches in width and 19 inches in length. Unlike the origional sword type it was made from stainless steel, however this was anticipated and regarded as a comprimise of an inexpensive reproduction.

REMOVAL OF THE HANDLE ASSEMBLY


fig. 6

The pommel was removed from the threaded tang of the blade in the same manner in which one would remove a cap from a bottle. Once the pommel was removed two hitherto un-noticeable features were observed (fig. 6); A) the grip was retained by means of a hex head nut and flat washer and B) these could not be readily removed as the threaded tang was fouled but a lump of slag apparently from a piece of welding rod running around its circumfrence at a point roughly midway between the nut and the terminus of the tang.

Upon loosening the grip retainer nut and moving it along with its washer from the grip it was found that the grip was held in place by some sort of cement. Both this and the fouling of the tang thread would present problems which, although not insurmountable, would make the acurization process more labor intensive.

It was decided to grind the slag on the tang down but not to a point where it would damage the threading thereof. The tang would then be re-threaded and the nut retaining the "bone" grip removed by "unscrewing" it or if necesary cutting or breaking it with an apropriate tool. In the process of rethreading the tang the grip bound and fractured. The handle assembly was soon thereafter removed without further incident.


fig. 7

Upon removal of the handle assembly it was revealed that the tang itself had been threaded rather than having a piece of threaded roundstock attached. In addition the blade had been ground to accept the hand guard and was not quite true. Examination of archeological finds reveals that his is more common than not, however some "machining" of the blade with a file may correct the deviation if desired.

THE SHEATH

Although most of the components of the sheath were suitable for re-use. They required some reworking in order to render a more accurate appearance. It was determined that the scabbard be stripped down to its wooden framework, that the "thick" decorations be scrapped and leather covering be replaced. The decorative work would be augmented with some new pieces to replace the discarded ones and the missing palmettes shown in Simkins⁶. The locket would be perforated to match the prototype and all brass would be tinned.

Initially it was hoped that the leather could be retained, i.e. that its removal from the sheath be forgone. Unfortunately this was precluded by the following problem. The locket and chape were retained on the scabbard by glue. In order to free them for removal a flat piece of metal was placed between them and the leather and gradually worked to and fro. during this process the leather was scarred to the point that it was deemed more practical to replace it entirely. Its removal was accomplished by first cutting the distal seam at which it was sewn together with a scalpal and peeling it away from the wooden structure which comprises the sheath proper. The leather was retained for reference as a pattern.

A palmette was selected to serve as a pattern for the fabrication of additional pieces, two of which ould be used in the reconstruction of the sheath decoration. TO BE CONTINUED


NOTES:

1. Dan Pederson states that Deepeeka has been gradually upgrading the "authenticity" of their product line and that one such upgrade comprises an improved sheath for the Pompeii gladius. No elaboration has been given on this at this writing. See http://pub45.ezboard.com/fromanarmytalkfrm13.showMessage?topicID=77.topic .

2. Bishop And Coulston (1993) page 36. These have been supplimented by a find at Herculaneum and by fittings at Waddon Hill and Hod Hill in the UK.

3. Op Cit (page 36) The meaning of more pronounced in referenceing the handguard is not clear.

4. The pommel of the sword as shown on Deepeeka's website is shown with a brass finial resembling that of origional specimens. See http://www.deepeeka.com/swords/swords/roman.htm .

5. Simkins, (1998) page 63. Reconstructions of this sword may be seen in Simkins (1974) p. 37 and (1984) p. 37

6. Simkins (1998) p. 63.


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