Roman Fulham Sword

The gladius , the primary weapon of Roman legionaries from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD, was used in many variations over the centuries. Designed primarily as a stabbing weapon, it was also quite effective for slashing. Eventually, this feared short sword was gradually replaced by the spatha during the Middle and Late Roman Empire.

This Roman short sword is a reconstruction of a 1st-century AD Fulham (or Mainz-Fulham) gladius, named after an early 1st-century archaeological find recovered from the River Thames at Fulham (London)

With its almost straight or sometimes slightly curved edges and elongated tip, the Fulham pattern is considered a transitional type between the Mainz types and the later Pompeii types. However, since they were almost all used simultaneously in the first century, some historians consider the Fulham to be a simple variant within the Mainz group or a simple precursor of the Pompeii gladius.

This Fulham gladius is complemented by a bone & wood and leather scabbard with brass hardware. The two upper bands feature cast brass suspension rings that allow the wearer to carry the gladius in the Roman style.