Owning Roman Equipment

[Leeham991]

You might join a reenactment group, if you're really interested. And most of the gear on the above link is just rubbish.
I'm member of Legio XI in Belgium (www.legioxi.be), and I'm building up my kit..

Where are you from? I can give you a link to the most nearby vendor...

I'm in Lincolnshire UK, though to be honest I'm saving up to emigrate to Canada x3
Also thanks for links, and I'll keep an eye out. Cheap + accurate would be best for me xD

i got myself a gladius that I bought in Rome last summer. You should have seen the airport controllers faces when I checked in my bagage.

Was they all like Y_Y ?

I'd like to see them try and arrest him if he had a gladius.

They got stab vests and MP5s though! D:

[koningtiger]

Well if you ever go to Toledo, Spain, you could buy some good stuff. They are doing Gladius Hispaniensis for more than 2000 years.

I bought a forged(done with a hammer and all that thing) gladius there 2 years ago. Dont buy the "gladiator" or "decorated" swords, that are mass-builded. Should cost +200 €.

They gave good falcatas too, and XV-XVII century original swords.

[Mulattothrasher]

I'm a Celtic Iron Age reenactor and its a lot of fun representing the past. My chainmail is based on what common called the 'Roman type' with a doubler extending down to the chest. However, if the Vacheres warrior is a noble Gaul, then its perhaps one of the Gallic types as well. I have worn my kit, except the helmet, out places and I get some stares, but thats about it.

[Leeham991]

I'm a Celtic Iron Age reenactor and its a lot of fun representing the past. My chainmail is based on what common called the 'Roman type' with a doubler extending down to the chest. However, if the Vacheres warrior is a noble Gaul, then its perhaps one of the Gallic types as well. I have worn my kit, except the helmet, out places and I get some stares, but thats about it.

That is epic xD

I trust you have lots of images on your profile? x3

Aww you dont... but you must post images :O

[alex_shields]

I own three scuta of the rectangular, straight-edged type. I've been thinking about getting a pilum as well or maybe some sort of vexillum to go with the shields - but nothing to wear out/around. I have carried the shields outside and used then in school projects and people think they're pretty cool.

[Mulattothrasher]

That is epic xD

I trust you have lots of images on your profile? x3

Aww you dont... but you must post images :O

No problem I'll make a post showing my stuff. Say, how to you make a new picture album anyway...can't figure it out

[Leeham991]

No problem I'll make a post showing my stuff. Say, how to you make a new picture album anyway...can't figure it out

hehe am looking forward


Update though. The local Roman museum (The Lincoln Collection) doesn't really have viable things to buy. They have the standard fake red leather scabbard pompeii gladius for sale for £100, which I know there are better on the internet for less.

The pugio was of good quality though, ready to be sharpened, very solid scabbard.

Standard Roman helmets not for sale, though those for sale seemed to be of mediocre quality and high price.

The Scutum for sale was a massive disappointment. While the Scutum in the "try on this Roman helmet" section was of a quality that my arm and eyes almost had awesomegasms, the ones for sale were made of cheap wood, tin boss, loose supports, cost £150 each and had a feel of an old shed door, though as the scuta were less that 2 KG I would say that a shed door would be better as a shield xD

@alex:
Where you get yours and what was the cost? And why 3? x3

[TheXand]

I think I'd rather go out dressed as Scorpion or Sub-Zero on Halloween rather than a Roman legionary.

Though would be cool having a full Roman legionary get up for when the zombie holocaust comes about. A suit of armour is much more zombie proof though.

[Leeham991]

I think I'd rather go out dressed as Scorpion or Sub-Zero on Halloween rather than a Roman legionary.

Though would be cool having a full Roman legionary get up for when the zombie holocaust comes about. A suit of armour is much more zombie proof though.

Grrr halloween...

I don't know what I hate more... The trick or treaters or the fact that anybody outside of Cornwall takes any notice of it...

"Trick or treat!" - idiots
*me opens door and forcefully pushes them off my property with my Scutum, shouting "Roma Victor" with every step*

[TheXand]

Saying that though if you were out dressed as a Roman, gladius and all, you'd be hard pressed not to act like a Roman.

*knock knock*
"Give me some candy or I'll ram this gladius up you. Umm, I mean; trick or treat!"

[saxdude]

Give me some candy or i will crucify you!!

God damn that would be awesome, on another note i have decided i am gonna buy my self a historical replica, i am undecided wether a gladius, roman gallica helmet or whermacht helm.

[Leeham991]

The local Roman Museum (The Lincoln Collection) sells the Roman Gladius Pompeii of this exact model:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

It's a bone effect plastic handle, wooden pummel and crossbar, and what looks like brass decorations with "bible cover" fake leather. All for £100 inc VAT

Was wondering thoughts, if it's worth getting? Of course I will ask about the quality of the blade. The one I inspected I was alone in the shop and the staff never showed up, so all I know is the blade is sold blunt, but as I'm no expert I have no idea if the blade is tempered. But will ask of course, if I visit again at a busier time the staff should be around xD Also I know it would be around £10 cheaper online including postage to Britain, but as I am limited to cash almost exclusively, is a problem to buy online.

Advice and suggestions though are welcome

[Naked fanatic]

Its not a military gear, but I have a sestertius of Nero and Denarius of Titus

[Sandrus Castus]

The local Roman Museum (The Lincoln Collection) sells the Roman Gladius Pompeii of this exact model:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

It's a bone effect plastic handle, wooden pummel and crossbar, and what looks like brass decorations with "bible cover" fake leather. All for £100 inc VAT

Was wondering thoughts, if it's worth getting? Of course I will ask about the quality of the blade. The one I inspected I was alone in the shop and the staff never showed up, so all I know is the blade is sold blunt, but as I'm no expert I have no idea if the blade is tempered. But will ask of course, if I visit again at a busier time the staff should be around xD Also I know it would be around £10 cheaper online including postage to Britain, but as I am limited to cash almost exclusively, is a problem to buy online.

Advice and suggestions though are welcome

Don't do it. Plastic? Come on, be honest... Buying a "real" one with a real bone handle doesn't cost much more..

[Leeham991]

Don't do it. Plastic? Come on, be honest... Buying a "real" one with a real bone handle doesn't cost much more..

Any suggestions? x3

All I seem to be able to find is that deepeeka stuff, they seem to sell it in every museum and every website, though I hear it's not worth bothering with, though it's the only stuff in my current price range xD

Although... I think the deepeeka website do a real bone version of their sword...

[Sandrus Castus]

http://legvi.tripod.com/armamentarium/id189.html

That might be something. Not totally perfect for historical accuracy, but very near.

[Leeham991]

Ahh I remember that site,

should save bookmarks more xD

[Leeham991]

*bump*
ok I spent 50 minutes writing out a huge long post, but sod's law saw to it that my internet crashed and I lost it, so now I keep it short.

I got a Gladius Pompeii, bone handle, brass fittings, red dyed real leather, mahogany. My camera is packed away, so no pictures till tomorrow.

DAMN my webs browser!

[saxdude]

Better hurry up then mate, i demand pics.

[Leeham991]

Aye me too, but turns out my father threw my webcam in the bin because he's never seen me use it, and the proper camera is god knows where.

I'm going to end up like Steven from the Greatest Freakout Ever videos soon...

Edit:
Also any tips on how to hold a square handle in a slashing motion without getting bruised fingers would be appreciated, though maybe it was like that to encourage stabbing? xD