I took one poor sword apart for the satisfactory blade, and another apart for its resemblance to the hilt of the Adrianople type Spatha-I assume there were many types.
Julian was right about the probable decline of Rome's military due to antipathy between Soldiers of different Cristhian sects in the Army
Due to the conflct between Ararian and other Christian sects, and the Zororoastians in the army weakened it.
Sectarian dislike within the ranks could not have helped. Nevertheless, they
Field Armys created by Constantineit were a professional armys quite different from the professional army of the Augustan Legions.
I feel that the original republican armies, being somewhat uniformly pagan, posssed and deliberatlly used their tendency for violence ruthlessly dismayed many enemies,
When the Army was thoroughly professioanal, seemed to have lost the ruthlessness of the Legiones of the Julio-Claudian period..
The reformation of Constantine did away with the singular large legiones, recruited from other places than they were stationed.
The new organization by Constantine, the stationing of limitanses stationed along the frontiers as trip wires, unwilling to go on campaign out of their home provinvce (except in the case, possibly of Julian's Army)
We will talk more about that on another thread.
The Rat tail tang on the spatha replica was broken off by hand, proof of it dangerous weakness as noted by Hugh, and a 3/8 inch bolt was WELDED to the short tang, instead of the "soldering" of the 1/8th bolt to the somewhat truncated tang of the sword I demolished..
I will say that this sword is the equal of many expensive blades and demonstrates, as Hugh put it, my undying impulse to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
But one should always should listen to Hugh on sword matters..
Of Course the welding cost me $65, and I had no bone for the hilt,, but what the heck, hands on fun,
Pic from "Adrianople' by Simon McDowell showing what I think is a late Roman Cavalry Spatha as made by Del Tin.
One view of rebuilt replica by John with help.
A replica of unknown Origin, probably Depeeka made, probably not battle ready or functional.
Another view of my hands on hobby Spatha.
It might not be functional in one sense, but I can't break it.
Another Spatha made by Depeeka, probably not battle ready or functional but matches some historical description and paintings.
A Too small clip of Barta's Spatha. Worth waiting for as Hugh would Say.
Spathas are kind of a thing with me. I have one on order from Del Tin, don't know when I will see that, and another from "Darksword" both worth waiting for.
When in doubt;. take Hugh's advice.
I have a bunch of pseudo Bowies to post. Again it is mostly just for fun, they are what they are.
However, In defense of Bud-k, some of their stuff is poor, but they also, for example, offer a replica of the "Case" Bowie, which is very close to the Musso Bowie.
I got the one without the rather large engraved "Case" on the Blade, and we shall see.
Just a pic of some pseudo Bowies that have stuck to me over the years:
Top Left: Burd K Sturdy Camp Bowie, very sharp and dangerous and well worth the buck, tang runs 3/4 into the hilt, 1/4 inch thick. Wooden sheathr.
Top right: irreplacable and indestructible Rigid Mini Bowie.
I actually LOST this knife cleaning fish in my yard, 2 years s later all it need was a polish. Unbeleivable.
Second on the left : Bud K antique Bowie, highly polished and reswept by hand. I know , I know, but I'm keeping it.
Second down on the right; Implausible Buk K Bolo Bowie-well, it didn't cost much.
Third down on left; Bud k clone, seems ok.
Third on the Right down; Ruku Mini Bowie, very cute, seems fragile.
Fourth on the left: Oneida K Bar. 'nuff said.
Fourth on the right; Incredible Midi Bowie by the deceased Ralph Bone. Very very sharp, a bit brittle, point reswept after break, repolished.
5th on the right-M-9 Bayonet bsed on Probis Design. Wire cutter integral with sheath. Heavy.
Well, it took me and age to get all these pictures posted. so I hope everyone likes them.
If your life is depending on it, though; I'd take the Rigid, but, it's not available anymore.
J
that's not a problem.
