Roman Legionary Sword – Hand-Forged Gladius

Roman Legionary Gladius — Hand-Forged Classical Legionary Sword

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Roman Legionary Gladius — Hand-Forged Classical Legionary Sword

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$184.99

Ex Tax: $184.99

Model: Roman Gladius Sword
Product Code: GLADIU0024
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal

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Roman Legionary Gladius — A Hand-Forged Classical Legionary Sword

The Roman Legionary Gladius from Everest Forge reproduces the classical sidearm of the Roman legions — the compact, double-edged short sword that the legionary carried alongside the scutum shield and pilum. It is the iconic Roman gladius in its working, legionary form: balanced, straight-bladed, and built to be handled.

Each blade is hand forged in Kathmandu, Nepal from 5160 high carbon spring steel, oil-tempered to working hardness, with a full tang. It is fitted with a rosewood grip and comes with a traditional wooden-core scabbard wrapped in leather and finished with a decorated chape. The standard blade is 18 inches, and other lengths can be specified before forging.

An honest note. This is a hand-forged collector and reenactment sword. We describe how the legionary gladius was used historically — the disciplined thrust-and-cut of the legions in formation — because that history is what the design expresses. We do not sell our blades as weapons. Because every gladius is forged individually, small variations in wood grain, weight, finish, and leatherwork are natural marks of handwork, not flaws.

Everest Forge — Hand-Forged in Nepal

Make This Legionary Gladius Yours

Choose your length, handle material, edge, and engraving — or commission a fully bespoke legionary gladius to your own reference. Personalised engraving is included at no extra charge.

Customise This Gladius → Commission a Bespoke Gladius →

The Legionary Gladius — A Brief History

The gladius was the standard sword of the Roman soldier from roughly the 3rd century BCE through the 3rd century CE. Designed for the close formations of Roman tactics, it complemented the scutum shield and the pilum javelin, and it became a symbol of Roman military discipline and engineering.

Unlike long slashing swords, the legionary gladius emphasised the controlled thrust. Soldiers were trained to strike quickly from behind their shields with short, precise movements. Several patterns existed over time — the early Hispaniensis and the later Mainz, Fulham, and Pompeii — but all shared the same core: a compact, efficient, durable blade for formation fighting. This piece reproduces that classical legionary sidearm.

Why This Legionary Gladius Stands Apart

The classical legionary sidearm

The compact, double-edged gladius the Roman legionary actually carried — the working short sword of the legions, not a decorative display piece.

Straight double-edged blade

A straight blade balanced for the controlled Roman thrust while still cutting effectively — the legionary profile.

5160 spring steel, oil-tempered

The same high carbon spring steel used in vehicle leaf springs, chosen for toughness and resilience. Oil-tempered to a working hardness.

Full-tang construction

The tang runs the length of the grip for structural integrity — the foundation of a sword built to be handled.

Wooden-core leather scabbard

A traditional scabbard built on a wooden core, wrapped in leather and finished with a decorated chape — historical Roman practice, with secure blade protection.

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

Classical legionary gladius — straight double-edged blade

Blade length

18 inches (standard) — other lengths available

Handle length

8 inches

Overall length

26 inches (standard)

Blade weight

Approx. 0.57 kg (approx. 0.84 kg with scabbard)

Steel

5160 high carbon spring steel

Heat treatment

Oil-tempered to working hardness

Tang

Full tang

Handle

Rosewood (standard)

Scabbard

Wooden core, leather-wrapped, decorated chape, included

Edge

Sharpened working edge — blunt training edge available

Customise Your Legionary 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 18-inch blade, or specify any length from 14 to 30 inches. Forged to your dimension at no extra charge.

Handle Material

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 family or regimental crest — engraved on the blade or handle, included at no extra charge.

Build My Legionary Gladius →

Hand-Forged, Not a Wall-Hanger

An Everest Forge Legionary Gladius

5160 high carbon spring steel
Oil-tempered to working hardness
Full-tang construction
Forged and shaped by hand
Stands up to controlled cutting practice and reenactment use

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

Mainz Gladius

The early Imperial waisted pattern with a long reinforced point.

Pompeii Gladius

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

Republican Gladius

The earlier, broader Republican-era form, based on the Delos find.

Eagle Gladius

A presentation short sword crowned with an eagle-head pommel.

All Roman Gladius Swords

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

Who This Legionary Gladius Is For

Roman history collectors — buyers who want the classical legionary sidearm, the working short sword of the legions, to anchor a Roman or military history collection.
Reenactors and living history — Roman legion reenactment groups who need the authentic legionary gladius in real, hand-forged steel.
HEMA and martial-arts students — those studying Roman thrust-and-cut footwork with a real-weight blade. A blunt training version is available for sparring.
Cutting-practice users — buyers who work tatami, bottles, and bamboo and want the compact legionary balance.
Gift buyers — a serious, lasting gift for a history enthusiast, with optional engraving for names, dates, or a crest.
Film, theatre, and production — full-weight authentic steel for historical productions, with blunt versions for choreography.

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 straight, double-edged legionary blade.

Heat treatment

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

Finishing and fitting

The rosewood grip is shaped and fitted, the edge is brought up, and the wooden-core leather scabbard with its decorated chape is finished to match.

What Is Included

One hand-forged legionary gladius in 5160 spring steel
Wooden-core scabbard wrapped in leather with a decorated chape
Personalised engraving where requested, at no extra charge
Care guidance for the blade, handle, and leather

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. Store the sword out of the scabbard in dry conditions for long-term keeping, since trapped humidity can mark a carbon blade. 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 Legionary Gladius

Choose your length, handle, edge, and engraving — or commission a fully bespoke legionary 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

What is a legionary gladius?

The legionary gladius is the classical sidearm of the Roman legions — the compact, double-edged short sword that legionaries carried alongside the scutum shield and pilum, from roughly the 3rd century BCE through the 3rd century CE. It is the iconic working form of the Roman gladius.

What was the gladius used for in the Roman army?

It was the legionary's primary close-formation sword, used with controlled thrusts from behind the shield. It complemented the scutum shield and the pilum javelin, and became a symbol of Roman military discipline and engineering.

What are the dimensions of this legionary gladius?

The standard piece measures 26 inches overall, with an 18-inch blade and an 8-inch handle. The blade weighs approximately 0.57 kg, or about 0.84 kg with the scabbard. 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 18-inch blade can be made to any length from 14 to 30 inches. 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 family or regimental crest — is included at no extra charge on the blade or handle. Bespoke ceremonial engraving with metal inlay is available as a premium service. See our Personalized Blades page.

What scabbard does it come with?

It comes with a traditional scabbard built on a wooden core, wrapped in leather and finished with a decorated chape — historical Roman practice, providing secure blade protection.

How is the legionary gladius different from the named patterns?

The named patterns — Hispaniensis, Mainz, Fulham, Pompeii — are specific archaeological types. This piece is presented as the classical legionary gladius: the general working sidearm of the legions, straight-bladed and compact, representing the form rather than one specific find.

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 legionary gladius?

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

Specification
Blade:	18 inches Long Blade made from carbon steel 5160
Total Length:	26 inches Long in total
Handle:	8 inches Long Full tang Handle made from Sadhan wood
Weight:	840 Grams Approx
Note:	This is a hand-forged sword. Minor variations in finish, dimensions, and weight are natural and reflect traditional forging techniques.