Battle Ready Gladius – Brass-Hilted Sword

Battle Ready Gladius — Hand-Forged Brass-Hilted Roman Sword with Fullered Drilled Blade

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Battle Ready Gladius — Hand-Forged Brass-Hilted Roman Sword with Fullered Drilled Blade

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$224.99

Ex Tax: $224.99

Model: Gladius sword
Product Code: Gladiussword8
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal

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Battle Ready Gladius — A Hand-Forged Brass-Hilted Roman Sword with a Fullered, Drilled Blade

The Battle Ready Gladius from Everest Forge is a fully functional, hand-forged Roman gladius — a real working blade, not a wall-hanger. It is dressed with a brass guard, a brass-ringed grip, and a rounded brass ball pommel, over a fullered blade lightened with drilled holes. It is built equally for the collector's shelf and for serious cutting practice.

The blade is hand forged in Kathmandu, Nepal from 5160 high carbon spring steel, oil-tempered to working hardness, with a full tang. The fuller and drilled holes lighten and balance the blade, the rosewood grip is framed in brass, and it comes with a leather scabbard. The standard blade is 21 inches, and other lengths can be specified before forging.

A note on this blade. This is a genuine hand-forged, battle-ready sword — full-tang 5160 spring steel, oil-tempered — built for cutting practice, reenactment, and collection. Because every gladius is forged individually, small variations in the brasswork, wood grain, weight, and finish are natural marks of handwork. Swords are edged tools; check your local laws before ordering, and handle and store responsibly.

Everest Forge — Hand-Forged in Nepal

Make This Battle Ready Gladius Yours

Choose your length, handle material, edge, and engraving — or commission a fully bespoke brass-hilted gladius. Personalised engraving is included at no extra charge.

Customise This Gladius → Commission a Bespoke Gladius →

A Functional, Brass-Hilted Gladius

This gladius is built around two ideas: a fully functional, battle-ready blade, and a dressed brass hilt that makes it a striking display piece. The blade carries a fuller and a row of drilled holes that lighten it and shift the balance toward the hand for a quick, capable cut, while the brass guard and brass ball pommel give it a finished, collectible presence.

It is a tactical, combat-capable interpretation of the classic Roman short sword in the sense that matters to a modern owner: real spring steel, real heat treatment, full tang, and a blade you can actually cut with — backed by brass furniture you can display with pride.

Why This Battle Ready Gladius Stands Apart

Brass guard and ball pommel

A brass guard and a rounded brass ball pommel frame the grip — the signature look of this gladius, and a clear step up from plain fittings.

Fullered, drilled blade

A fuller and a row of drilled holes lighten the blade and shift the balance toward the hand for a fast, functional cut.

Battle-ready 5160 spring steel

The same high carbon spring steel used in vehicle leaf springs, oil-tempered to a working hardness — a fully functional blade, not a decorative casting.

Full-tang construction

The tang runs the length of the grip into the brass pommel for structural integrity — built to be handled and used, not just displayed.

Brass-ringed rosewood grip

A turned rosewood grip framed with brass rings, shaped for a secure, balanced hold.

Hand-forged in Nepal

Forged on hammer and anvil by our blacksmiths in Kathmandu. See the process on The Making and meet the team on Meet the Maker.

Specifications

Type

Battle-ready brass-hilted gladius — fullered, drilled blade

Blade length

21 inches (standard) — other lengths available

Handle length

7.5 inches

Overall length

28.5 inches (standard)

Blade weight

Approx. 0.95 kg

Blade

Fullered, lightened with drilled holes

Steel

5160 high carbon spring steel

Heat treatment

Oil-tempered to working hardness

Tang

Full tang

Fittings

Brass guard and brass ball pommel

Handle

Rosewood with brass rings (standard)

Scabbard

Leather scabbard, included

Edge

Sharpened working edge — blunt training edge available

Customise Your Battle Ready Gladius

Most details on this gladius can be specified to your preference before forging begins. Use the options on this page to build your blade, or contact us for anything outside the standard list.

Length

Standard 21-inch blade, or specify any length from 14 to 30 inches. Forged to your dimension at no extra charge.

Handle Material

Brass-ringed rosewood as standard. Whitewood, buffalo horn, and exotic timbers are available on request to suit display or handling preference.

Edge

Sharpened working edge by default, or a blunt training edge for HEMA sparring and stage rehearsal — included at no extra charge.

Engraving

Names, dates, Roman mottos such as SPQR, or a crest — engraved on the blade or fittings, included at no extra charge.

Build My Battle Ready Gladius →

Hand-Forged, Not a Wall-Hanger

An Everest Forge Battle Ready Gladius

5160 high carbon spring steel
Oil-tempered to working hardness
Full-tang construction into a brass pommel
Forged and shaped by hand
A genuine functional blade for cutting practice and reenactment

A typical decorative replica

Stainless or unknown steel
Little or no heat treatment
Rat-tail or partial tang
Cast or stock-removed in a factory
Built for display only — not for handling

The Complete Gladius Collection

Modern Gladius

A modern cutting gladius for training, HEMA, and cutting practice.

Skeletonized Gladius

A modern, lightened gladius with a drilled, double-fullered blade.

Mainz Gladius

The early Imperial waisted pattern with a long reinforced point.

Pompeii Gladius

The standardised straight-edged pattern with a short triangular point.

All Roman Gladius Swords

Browse the full Everest Forge gladius range by pattern, length, and use.

Who This Battle Ready Gladius Is For

Cutting-practice users — those who want a fully functional, battle-ready blade for tatami, bottles, and bamboo, with a lightened, fast-handling profile.
Collectors — buyers who want a striking brass-hilted gladius with a ball pommel for display, that is also a real working sword.
HEMA and reenactment — practitioners who drill with a real-weight blade. A blunt training version is available for sparring.
Roman history enthusiasts — those who want the classic gladius form in functional steel with a dressed hilt.
Gift buyers — a serious, lasting gift for a sword or history enthusiast, with optional engraving.
Film, theatre, and production — full-weight functional steel for productions, with blunt versions for choreography.

Historical Note — The Roman Gladius

The gladius was the short sword of the Roman legionary, used between the 3rd century BCE and the 3rd century CE. Compact and effective in close formations, it evolved from earlier Celtiberian blades and was refined by the Romans for organised battle formations and tight quarters. With the gladius, Roman soldiers expanded the empire, and the sword became a lasting symbol of discipline, precision, and military engineering. This piece reinterprets that functional heritage with a brass hilt and a lightened, fullered blade.

How It Is Made

Steel selection

We start with 5160 high carbon spring steel, the same material used in heavy-duty vehicle leaf springs, chosen for toughness and shock resistance.

Forging and shaping

The bar is heated and hammered by hand into the blade, then the fuller and drilled holes are worked in to lighten and balance it.

Heat treatment

The blade is hardened and oil-tempered to a working hardness, balancing a durable edge against a resilient spine.

Brasswork and fitting

The brass guard, brass rings, and brass ball pommel are worked and fitted to the rosewood grip, and the leather scabbard is finished to match.

What Is Included

One hand-forged, battle-ready gladius in 5160 spring steel with brass guard and ball pommel
Leather scabbard
Personalised engraving where requested, at no extra charge
Care guidance for the blade, handle, leather, and brass

Shipping, Returns, and Warranty

Every gladius ships from Kathmandu, Nepal via DHL Express or FedEx International on a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) basis — duties and taxes are handled so there is nothing to pay on arrival. Typical delivery is 8 to 15 business days from order, including forging and processing time. Some countries restrict the import of swords above certain lengths; it is the buyer's responsibility to check local law before ordering.

Standard gladii carry a 30-day satisfaction guarantee in unused condition and a 6-month warranty against manufacturing defects. Custom and personalised pieces are forged to your specification and are non-returnable. Full details are on our Shipping and Returns and Warranty and Returns Policy pages.

Caring for Your Gladius

Wipe the blade clean after handling and apply a light film of mineral or blade oil to protect the high carbon steel from moisture, paying attention to the drilled holes where moisture can sit. Wipe the brass fittings with a soft, dry cloth. Store the sword out of the scabbard in dry conditions for long-term keeping, treat the leather occasionally with a leather conditioner, and keep the rosewood grip away from prolonged damp or direct heat.

Everest Forge — Hand-Forged Roman Gladius

Order Your Battle Ready Gladius

Choose your length, handle, edge, and engraving — or commission a fully bespoke brass-hilted gladius. Every blade is forged in 5160 spring steel and shipped worldwide with tracking, duties paid.

Customise This Gladius → Ask a Question →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this gladius battle ready and functional?

Yes. It is a genuine hand-forged, battle-ready sword — full-tang 5160 high carbon spring steel, oil-tempered to a working hardness, with a real sharpened edge. It is a functional blade built for cutting practice and reenactment, not a decorative casting.

What are the brass fittings?

The gladius has a brass guard and a rounded brass ball pommel, with brass rings framing the rosewood grip. The brass furniture gives it a finished, collectible look on top of a fully functional blade.

Why is the blade fullered and drilled?

The fuller and the row of drilled holes lighten the blade and shift the balance toward the hand, giving a faster, more responsive cut, as well as a distinctive look.

What are the dimensions of this gladius?

The standard piece measures 28.5 inches overall, with a 21-inch blade and a 7.5-inch handle, and the blade weighs approximately 0.95 kg. The length is a choice — you can specify any blade length from 14 to 30 inches before forging.

What steel is the blade made from?

The blade is forged from 5160 high carbon spring steel, the same material used in heavy-duty vehicle leaf springs, valued for toughness, shock resistance, and edge retention. It is oil-tempered to a working hardness. Other steels such as 1095 and 1075 are available on custom request.

Is the blade sharp, or can I get it blunt?

The standard edge is a sharpened working edge. A blunt training edge is available at no extra charge for HEMA sparring, stage rehearsal, or where a blunt blade is preferred — just note it in your order or contact us before forging.

Can I choose a different length or handle material?

Yes. The standard 21-inch blade can be made to any length from 14 to 30 inches. Brass-ringed rosewood is the standard handle; whitewood, buffalo horn, and exotic timbers are available on request. Mention your choices when ordering.

Can I have the gladius engraved?

Yes. Standard engraving — names, dates, Roman mottos such as SPQR, or a crest — is included at no extra charge on the blade or fittings. Bespoke ceremonial engraving with metal inlay is available as a premium service. See our Personalized Blades page.

Does it come with a scabbard?

Yes. Every standard gladius includes a handmade leather scabbard, for safe carry and storage.

How is it shipped, and how long does delivery take?

We ship from Kathmandu via DHL Express or FedEx International on a Delivered Duty Paid basis, so duties and taxes are handled with nothing to pay on arrival. Typical delivery is 8 to 15 business days from order, including forging and processing. Custom and personalised orders may take longer.

What is your return and warranty policy?

Standard gladii carry a 30-day satisfaction guarantee in unused condition and a 6-month warranty against manufacturing defects. Custom and personalised gladii are forged to your specification and are non-returnable. Full details are on our Warranty and Returns Policy page.

Can I order a custom or fully bespoke brass-hilted gladius?

Yes. Specify any blade length from 14 to 30 inches, a custom handle and fittings, and personalised engraving — or commission a fully bespoke brass-hilted gladius through our Custom Forge service. We confirm every detail before forging begins.

Specification
Blade:	21 inches Long Blade Made from carbon steel
Total Length:	28.5 inches long in total
Handle:	7.5 inches long Full tang Handle made from Rosewood
Weight:	950 Grams approximately
Note:	Please note: As each sword is individually hand-forged, slight variations in measurements, weight, and appearance are natural and add to the uniqueness of each piece.

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