Antique swords
Ancient swords have fascinated collectors, re-enactors and history enthusiasts for centuries — from the earliest bronze blades of Egypt to the Roman gladius, which shaped the face of ancient warfare. The Vehi Mercatus range features authentic replicas of significant sword types from antiquity and early history, all crafted by Battle Merchant based on historical models and available in various designs for display, collection and re-enactment.
Gladius, Spatha, Xiphos: The most important sword types of antiquity
Gladius
The short sword of the Roman infantry — blade length 50–55 cm, total length approx. 70–75 cm. Ideal for close combat in close formation. Four main types: Hispaniensis, Mainz, Fulham and Pompeii.
Spatha
Longer than the gladius with a blade of 75–110 cm, originally developed for mounted troops. Was later adopted by the Germanic tribes and became the precursor to medieval swords.
Xiphos & Kopis
Xiphos: straight short sword of the Greek hoplites, used by infantry and cavalry. Kopis: curved short sword with a single-edged blade, optimised for cutting. The parazonium was the short officer’s sword of Greco-Roman design.
These core types are complemented by the Celtic short and long swords as precursors to medieval sword forms, as well as the Egyptian khepesh — a curved scimitar that was already in use during the Bronze Age. Each type reflects the tactics and fighting style of its era: whoever understands the weapon also understands the army that wielded it.
The Gladius: Weapon and Symbol of Rome
No sword of antiquity is as closely associated with a civilisation as the gladius is with Rome. From around the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD, it was the standard weapon of the Roman infantry — for more than 500 years. Its blade length of 50–55 cm and a total length of 70–75 cm made it the perfect close-combat weapon in the legions’ tightly packed battle formation.
It is important to understand that the gladius was not a weapon used on its own. It complemented the pilum (the throwing spear) and was only used in close combat once the spears had been thrown. The importance of the spear in ancient warfare is often underestimated — in fact, it was the primary weapon of Roman and Greek armies.
The four main types of gladius differ in blade shape, period of origin and place of discovery: the Hispaniensis (Delos) is the oldest Republican form with a curved edge. The Mainz type from the early Imperial period has a pronounced waist and a long, pointed blade — designed specifically for thrusting. The Fulham type is a transitional form, evidenced by finds from Britain. Finally, the Pompeii type is the late Imperial form with parallel edges and a shorter point — easier to manufacture and widely used.
As a symbol, the gladius stood for discipline, military strength and the identity of the Empire. Replicas of these Roman swords are available in the shop in price ranges from approx. €84–235, depending on the handle material (wood, bone, wood-bone combination) and scabbard fittings.
Comparison of gladius types: Mainz, Pompeii, Fulham, Hispaniensis
- Mainz: pronounced waist, long point, early imperial period — ideal for thrusting
- Hispaniensis (Delos): oldest form, Republican period, curved edge, found at Delos
- Handle materials: bone, wood or a combination
- More elaborate craftsmanship, closer to the archaeological original
- Price range in the shop: approx. €126–235
- Pompeii: parallel cutting edges, shorter tip, Late Imperial period — easier to manufacture
- Fulham: transitional form between Mainz and Pompeii, finds from Britain
- Handle materials: wood, partly bone
- An accessible introduction to the world of the gladius
- Price range in the shop: approx. €84–127
All replicas feature carbon steel blades and are available with leather or wooden scabbards. Sharp versions are suitable for display and skilled handling; blunt variants are suitable for exhibition combat and re-enactment events.
Celtic and Greek swords: art meets warfare
In addition to Roman sword types, the range also offers replicas of Celtic and Greek swords, which are of equal interest to collectors and re-enactors alike.
The Celtic bronze short sword is an authentic cast bronze replica — one of the rare examples where the material itself is historically accurate. Bronze swords were not forged but cast, giving them a different surface texture and weight to iron swords. A particularly attractive piece for collectors and museums.
The Celtic long sword, with its elaborately decorated brass hilt and leather scabbard, is regarded as a direct precursor to Germanic swords and the Roman spatha. The cultural interactions between the Celts, Romans and Germanic peoples in the development of swords could scarcely be illustrated more clearly than by this type of sword.
From the Greek armoury come the xiphos (Greek hoplite sword) as a straight double-edged blade — the Campovalano variant is offered complete with a leather scabbard — as well as the kopis, a curved short sword with a single-edged blade designed for slashing. The Parazonium, a short officer’s sword in the Greco-Roman tradition, completes the range — the replica is available with a blunt blade and is therefore perfectly suited for re-enactment events.
Materials and workmanship: What to look out for when buying
| Feature | Design | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| Blade material | Carbon steel, sharp | Decoration / Collection |
| Blade material | Carbon steel, blunt | Re-enactment / exhibition combat |
| Handle | Bone (historically accurate, Imperial era) | Historical |
| Handle | Wood or wood-bone combination | Historical |
| Sheath | Leather (light or dark) | Historical |
| Weight | approx. 700–1,000 g depending on the type | True to the original |
| Price range | €75–235, all from Battle Merchant | From beginner to collector |
When purchasing a replica of an antique sword, the intended use is crucial: for purely decorative purposes and display items, a sharp blade is not a disadvantage — however, anyone wishing to use the sword for live historical re-enactments or exhibition combat should look for blunted versions and, where applicable, SK certification. Accessories for swords, such as sword holders or care products, should also be taken into account when planning.
Price ranges and designs: From entry-level replicas to museum-quality replicas
Gladius with a simple leather scabbard, functional carbon steel blade, wooden hilt — e.g. the classic legionary gladius with scabbard or the Fulham-type gladius. Solid craftsmanship for those new to the world of ancient swords.
Pompeii gladius in various designs, Roman Xanten gladius (3rd century), Greek xiphos with leather scabbard — more detailed handle design, closer to historical finds. Well suited for collectors whose primary focus is on authenticity.
Gladius from Mainz with bone hilt, Tiberius sword, Celtic bronze short sword, Hoplite sword from Campovalano — replicas that come closest to the archaeological originals. For re-enactment groups with a commitment to historical accuracy, we recommend checking the details regarding blade specifications and weight.
Caring for antique sword replicas: How to keep the blade in good condition
Carbon steel blades are more susceptible to rust than stainless steel — regular care is therefore not optional, but essential. Cleaning is best done with denatured alcohol; afterwards, apply a thin layer of weapon oil or Vaseline to prevent rust in the long term. Always work on a soft surface to avoid scratching the blade’s surface.
Wooden handles should only be wiped dry — water seeping in causes the wood to warp, leading to cracks in the long term. Treat bone handles in the same way; an occasional, very sparing application of care oil is sufficient to keep the material supple.
A common mistake: storing the sword permanently in its leather scabbard. Leather absorbs moisture from the air and transfers it directly to the blade — the result is rust. It is better to store the sword uncovered, in a dry place, on a soft surface and protected from direct sunlight. For pieces that are frequently on display, sword stands or wall mounts are recommended.
Legal and useful information regarding antique swords
Ownership of swords is generally legal in Germany — the Weapons Act (WaffG) merely restricts carrying them in public, not ownership. Specifically, Section 42a of the WaffG prohibits carrying sharp blades over 12 cm in length in public. Exceptions apply to events with official authorisation, such as historical markets or re-enactment events.
For exhibition fights and re-enactments, blunt versions are recommended — these are generally accepted without issue at events. Anyone purchasing a sharp sword is personally responsible for its safe storage and correct transport (packed, not within easy reach).
Genuine archaeological finds are subject to heritage protection and, where applicable, export regulations — this does not apply to replicas. For those interested in genuine antique swords at auctions: historical originals typically sell there for several thousand euros, with good examples far exceeding that. The replicas in the shop range from €75 to €235 and offer a visually and tactilely accessible alternative for collectors and history enthusiasts.
Whether you’re looking for a gladius as a decorative piece, an authentic replica for your Roman re-enactment, or a Celtic short sword for your collection — our range includes all the major types of ancient swords from Battle Merchant, in various designs and price ranges from €75 to €235.
Frequently asked questions
The best-known Roman sword is called the gladius. It is a short sword with a blade length of 50–55 cm and a total length of around 70–75 cm, which was used by the Roman infantry from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD. In addition, the Romans used the spatha — a longer sword (75–110 cm) for the cavalry, which was later also adopted by the Germanic tribes.
Authentic Gladius replicas from Battle Merchant are available in the shop from around €84. Simpler versions with a wooden hilt and leather scabbard range from €84 to €127, whilst higher-quality variants with a bone hilt, such as the Gladius from Mainz or the Tiberius sword, cost up to €235. Genuine archaeological finds typically fetch several thousand euros at auction.
In Germany, the possession of swords is generally legal — the Weapons Act merely restricts carrying them in public, not ownership. Carrying sharp blades over 12 cm in public is prohibited under Section 42a of the Weapons Act, with exceptions for authorised events such as medieval markets. Blunt versions are suitable for re-enactment and exhibition combat and can generally be used at events without issue.
From the 3rd century AD onwards, the longer spatha increasingly replaced the gladius. The reasons lay in changing combat tactics: a greater proportion of auxiliary troops and mounted units in the late Roman armies made a longer sword more advantageous. Furthermore, Germanic federates adopted their own weapon traditions, in which the long sword dominated. The spatha thus became a bridge between ancient and medieval sword forms.
Apart from the gladius and the spatha, the most important ancient sword types are the Greek xiphos (straight hoplite short sword), the kopis (curved Greek scimitar), the parazonium (Greco-Roman officer’s sword), and Celtic short and long swords made of bronze and iron. The Khepesh, a curved sword from the Bronze Age, originates from Egypt. All these types are available as replicas in the Battle Merchant range.