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story began at the beginning of 2005, for we wanted to spread the Deepeeka
range to the republican era. At this time, Deepeeka was very busy making
WWI and WWII helmet, and the work really began at the spring 2006.
The gladius is not a copy of an exisiting artefact, fot no whole republican
helmet were found. Only some parts were found. The drawings are based
upon archeological sources, mixed together :
- the shape of the blade is made after the ones found in Smihel (Slovenia),
Osuna (Spain), Mouries (France)
- the scabbard is derived from the scabbard found in Delos, in Greece,
dated 69BC (Burnt sword House). The hilt was burnt, but the scabbard
was preserved. It is made of leather, on an iron brace. We suggested
to use a wooden scabbard with leather, more easy to make, and which
was most common in fact. We suggested the use of brass instead of iron,
much more practical, too. We asked intially for a neutral color for
the leather, therefore allowing the customer to dye or paint it, but
it ended black.
- the hilt was burnt, but 7 rivits were found. As the shape was unknown,
we used a simple form, to be seen on sculptures.
Here you have the general shape of a very common republican gladius,
which could be used from IIId century BC till I BC. The general idea
is to interest the widest range of re-enactors. Would we have choosen
a gladius too typical, we would have limited the number of customers.
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