Roman Swords and Fittings

Gladius Mainzensis Scabbard Plate

The upper attachment holds the wooden pieces of the scabbard together near the sword’s hilt. The plate features an ornate, symmetrical openwork design, adorned with hearts and stars radiating from a central point.

Pompeii Gladius Chape

Late Roman Spatha Chape

A rounded sword chape for the longer spatha or shorter semi-spatha short sword served as the end attachment, protecting the leather-covered wooden parts of the scabbard. It also added a popular touch of style to the military swords of the time.

Late Roman Semi-Spatha

A semi-spatha or gladius, fully preserved and intact, featuring remnants of wood impressions from the scabbard and a bronze end washer that once secured the hilt in place.

Late Roman Full Length Spatha

The sword matches the “Lauriacum/Hromowka type,” featuring a blade about 65 cm long and roughly 5.2 cm wide. These swords had parallel edges, a triangular point, and typically a length-to-width ratio of 8–12:1. It would have been worn on a baldric (shoulder belt) and attached with a scabbard slide, unlike the earlier Gladius, which used a ring suspension and waist belt. The earlier Spatha from the 1st–2nd century, carried by cavalry, would not have been as wide.

Gladius Scabbard Plate or Lock plate

This bronze imprint of Mars has a smooth, even patina and is thought to have once adorned a Gladius scabbard. The rectangular piece features four holes, one in each corner, all ancient as indicated by the patina covering them. It’s possible the piece was later repurposed as a lock plate, with the triangular opening in the center designed for the classic Roman key shape.

Gladius Scabbard Applique

A decorative applique shaped like a palmette, once part of the tip of a Gladius scabbard chape.

Late Roman Scabbard Slide

An iron spatha or shorter semi-spatha scabbard slide, this piece would have been attached to the scabbard or sheath in the 4th century, allowing the sword to hang from a baldric. It’s a style typical of the transitional period of the 3rd century.

Peltate Scabbard Chape

A crescent-shaped (peltate) chape from a spatha features two decorative openings on one side, while the reverse has a border around it with a central line. This well-preserved piece showcases a design that was especially popular among the auxiliary units along the Rhine frontier.

Late Roman Scabbard Slide Bronze.

A bronze serpent-shaped Spatha or shorter semi-Spatha scabbard slide, this piece would have been affixed to the scabbard or sheath of a 3rd or 4th-century Spatha or semi-Spatha.

Late Roman Spatha Chape

A crescent-shaped sword chape designed for either a longer spatha or a shorter semi-spatha short sword features two crescent openings near the top, a raised central peak, and a ridge running down the center.

Late Roman Iron Spatha Chape

A rounded sword chape designed for a longer spatha or a shorter semi-spatha sword, often adorned with silver inlays and intricate patterns. A small portion of the silver still remains.

Circular Late Roman Spatha Chape

A rounded sword chape designed for a longer spatha or a shorter semi-spatha short sword, featuring a large central hole for mounting, possibly with an organic material.

Gladius Locket Bar

A gladius mainzensis or Pompeii scabbard locket bar fragment was designed to hold a ring that connected to the shoulder strap, typically positioned above and below the locket.