Roman Gladius Swords

Roman Gladius Swords for Sale — Hand-Forged in Nepal | 16" to 24" Lengths

Hand-forged Roman Gladius swords from Everest Forge — the legendary short sword that built an empire. Each gladius is forged in Kathmandu, Nepal from 5160 high carbon spring steel, oil tempered, sharpened to a working edge, and shipped worldwide via DHL Express and FedEx with full tracking. Used by Roman legions from the 3rd century BCE through the early Imperial era, the gladius was designed for close-quarters thrust-and-cut combat — and our hand-forged versions stay true to that purpose. Battle-ready, full-tang, and built to last.

Our most popular gladius is the 22-inch hand-forged Republican Gladius — the optimal length for both historical accuracy and practical handling, and our single best-selling sword. We also forge gladii in 16-inch (short gladius), 18-inch, 20-inch, 21-inch, 22-inch, 24-inch, and custom lengths — plus historical Mainz, Pompeii, Fulham, and Hispaniensis patterns.

Our Bestselling Gladius Swords

Based on hundreds of orders across Etsy and our own website, these are the gladius models our customers buy most often. Every one of them ships ready-to-use, with the same 5160 spring steel and same hand-forging that made our 22-inch Republican Gladius the #1 bestseller in our entire sword range.

The Full Gladius Range

Every gladius in our range is hand-forged in Kathmandu from 5160 high carbon spring steel and oil tempered to working hardness. Choose by length, by historical pattern, or by intended use. Custom lengths and bespoke designs available through our Custom Forge service.

Why Buy a Gladius from Everest Forge

Real, working steel. Every gladius is forged from 5160 high carbon spring steel — the same material used in vehicle leaf springs, chosen for shock resistance, edge retention, and toughness. Oil-tempered to working hardness. Full-tang construction. These are not stainless wall-hangers.

Hand-forged in Nepal. Our blacksmiths forge by hand using hammer, anvil, and traditional methods passed down through generations. See the full forging process on The Making page. Meet our team on the Meet the Maker page.

Historically grounded designs. Our patterns reference real archaeological finds — the Mainz finds from the Rhine, the Pompeii finds, the Fulham example from the Thames, and the original Hispaniensis pattern. Where we adapt the design for modern use (Combat Gladius, Customised), we say so clearly.

Customisation included. Personalised pommel design, guard style, engraving, handle material, and length specification are available on most orders. Bespoke commissions through Custom Forge.

Battle-ready, not battle-fragile. Our combat-grade gladii survive cutting drills, target work, and reenactment use. Read what battle-ready actually means on our FAQ page.

Worldwide shipping with full tracking. DHL Express and FedEx International delivery to most countries. Shipping & Returns details.

30-day returns and 6-month warranty. Full satisfaction guarantee. Warranty & Returns Policy.

Who Buys an Everest Forge Gladius

Roman history collectors — Buyers building a Roman or military history collection. The gladius is the iconic short sword of antiquity — carrying it represents the entire Roman military tradition. Our historically accurate Mainz, Pompeii, Fulham, and Hispaniensis patterns are forged from archaeological references.

Reenactors & living history — Roman legion reenactment groups, Roman cavalry, gladiator schools, and historical event participants. Hand-forged steel, period-accurate geometry, leather scabbard.

HEMA & martial artists — Historical European Martial Arts students studying Roman military technique, plus martial artists practicing thrust-and-cut footwork with a real-weight short sword. Blunt training versions available for sparring use.

Cutting-practice users — Buyers who actually cut tatami mats, water bottles, and bamboo. The 22-inch Republican Gladius is particularly suited to cutting drills due to its weight distribution and edge geometry.

Gift buyers — A hand-forged gladius is a serious gift for the right recipient — military veterans, history enthusiasts, retirement and milestone gifts. Add personalised engraving through our Personalized Blades service.

Film, theatre & production — Stage combat, film and TV historical productions, photography props. Full-weight authentic steel for production use, with blunt training versions available for choreography and rehearsal.

Gladius Sword Specifications

Steel — 5160 high carbon spring steel (standard). Other steels including 1095 and 1075 available on custom request.

Heat treatment — Differentially heat-treated, oil-tempered to working hardness. Hardened edge with tougher spine.

Construction — Full-tang on all working models. Tang configuration (peened, threaded, drilled) specified per design.

Handle materials — Standard rosewood, whitewood, or buffalo horn. Custom handles in micarta, G10, stag horn, or exotic timbers available.

Blade lengths — 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24 inches standard. Custom lengths from 14 to 30 inches available.

Edge — Sharpened to a working edge by default. Blunt training-version edges available at no extra charge.

Scabbard — Wooden core covered in leather, included with every standard model.

Personalisation — Standard engraving (names, dates, mottos, regimental crests) included at no extra charge. Custom artwork and ceremonial inlay quoted separately. Personalized Blades details.

Custom Gladius — Built to Your Specification

If our standard range doesn't have exactly the gladius you want — a specific length, blade profile, fuller, pommel design, period-correct grip, presentation engraving, or fully bespoke design — our Custom Forge service builds gladii to order. Send us reference images, archaeological drawings, or written specifications. We forge to your exact dimensions in 5160 spring steel and confirm every detail before forging begins.

The Gladius — A Brief History

The Roman gladius was the standard sidearm of the Roman legionary from approximately the 3rd century BCE through the early 3rd century AD — over 500 years of continuous military service. Adopted from the Celtiberian tribes of Iberia (giving it the name gladius hispaniensis), the design was refined repeatedly by Roman armourers into the patterns we know today.

The genius of the gladius was its combination of length and geometry. At 16 to 24 inches it was short enough for the close-quarters combat that defined Roman tactics — legionaries fighting shoulder-to-shoulder, using the scutum (large rectangular shield) for defence and the gladius for short, precise thrusts to the gut, throat, or face of the enemy. The blade was double-edged for cutting where space permitted, but the primary attack was the thrust — faster, more lethal, and harder to block than a slash.

The gladius was eventually replaced by the longer spatha during the late Imperial era as Roman tactics shifted toward more mobile cavalry warfare. But the gladius remains the most iconic short sword in military history — the blade that, more than any other, built the Roman Empire.

Worldwide Shipping & Trust

Every Everest Forge gladius ships from Kathmandu, Nepal via DHL Express or FedEx International with full tracking. Delivery to most countries within 8–15 business days from order. Customs handling, payment security, return policy, and full warranty details on our dedicated trust pages:

• Shipping & Returns — DHL/FedEx delivery, tracking, customs
• Warranty & Returns Policy — 30-day satisfaction guarantee, 6-month warranty
• Secure Shopping — SSL checkout, PCI-compliant payment
• The Making — how every blade is forged
• Meet the Maker — our blacksmiths in Kathmandu

Frequently Asked Questions About the Gladius