Gladius Handle Help...

[Matthew Amt]

For Matthew,
...I've never heard of a threaded tang but I'll have to look into it. Does it have grooves like a screw cap? Whould the Romans have had such a thing?

Never heard of a threaded tang?? Goodness, you ARE new at this! Not a problem. Many modern repros have threaded tangs, just like a bolt or screw. That is NOT something the Romans ever did, it's just a modern convenience. It's not authentic, and in fact the nuts used are often glaringly modern, but it does allow the owner to remove any incorrect pieces and alter or replace them. So we don't tend to complain. Easy enough to put a more period-looking nut on and peen the tang over it. In short, if you can't see the tang peened over the nut or finial or whatever is on there, it's not completely accurate.

If you're making your own blade, or having one custom made, that's all moot of course. Good luck!

Matthew