DAY 1: Historic Arms & Armor: Revolutionary America
Sat, Jul 18, 2026 11:00AM EDT
Lot 105
Ancient Roman Mainz-Type Gladius River Find, Early Imperial Period 27 BC-AD 284
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $100 | $50 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
This evocative Ancient Roman river-find gladius blade appears to be a Mainz-type gladius, dating to the Early Imperial Period, circa 27 BC-AD 284. The surviving iron blade retains the recognizable short, waisted profile associated with early Imperial Roman military swords, with a broad body tapering toward a pointed tip and a projecting tang area where the hilt would have originally been mounted. The surface is heavily oxidized and encrusted from long-term burial or river exposure, giving the piece a powerful archaeological appearance. Based on its form, this appears most consistent with a Roman legionary gladius blade rather than a later medieval weapon, though bidders are encouraged to review all photographs and form their own conclusions regarding exact typology.
Roman gladii and pugiones are frequently recovered from rivers, crossings, shallow fords, and ancient bridge areas, especially along major frontier zones such as the Rhine and Danube river systems. These were the landscapes where Roman troops established marching camps, forts, supply points, river crossings, and defensive positions. Over centuries, weapons could be lost in combat, discarded, ritually deposited, washed from nearby sites, or buried in river sediment. The banks and shallow crossing points of the Rhine in particular are among the most prolific zones for Roman military finds, producing swords, daggers, spearheads, fittings, and other equipment tied to the movement of Roman soldiers along the frontier.
River-find Roman blades are usually heavily encrusted with mineral deposits and corrosion from centuries of exposure. While these deposits can make such examples less visually refined than fully conserved museum-grade swords, they also make them a far more attainable way to own a genuine Roman-period battlefield artifact. Attempting to chip or mechanically remove encrustation can damage the surviving iron beneath, and proper chloride extraction or distilled water treatment can take significant time and expertise. For that reason, we recommend displaying this piece as found, preserving its archaeological character and in-situ appearance rather than attempting aggressive cleaning.
River-find examples such as this especially appealing for those seeking an more direct and raw connection to Roman arms at a more accessible level. Its waisted Mainz-style profile, archaeological surface, Early Imperial attribution, and frontier-river context make it a strong offering for collectors of Roman antiquities, ancient weapons, legionary artifacts, archaeological ironwork, and classical military history. Prospective bidders are strongly encouraged to inspect all photographs carefully and request any additional close-ups, measurements, or information needed prior to bidding. These lots are offered as-is and represent fascinating archaeological river-find relics tied to powerful moments in Roman military history and discovery.
Provenance: Consigned by a local antiquities collector.
Condition
★ ★
Honest Wear or As Found - Standard Wear, medium to heavy use, or other wear/patina that adds to the item’s character and authenticity. Typically the state of most Antiques and Antiquities. Also refers to militaria that has seen extensive field wear with lots of character, often desired by collectors and referred to as “salty”. For Antiquities, ground or river finds may be labelled As Found which means they are Untouched, uncleaned, and in original condition from discovery. Any state of Amateur or Professional Restoration or Preservation will be noted.
Honest Wear or As Found - Standard Wear, medium to heavy use, or other wear/patina that adds to the item’s character and authenticity. Typically the state of most Antiques and Antiquities. Also refers to militaria that has seen extensive field wear with lots of character, often desired by collectors and referred to as “salty”. For Antiquities, ground or river finds may be labelled As Found which means they are Untouched, uncleaned, and in original condition from discovery. Any state of Amateur or Professional Restoration or Preservation will be noted.
Condition assessed using Treasure Trove Auctions’ proprietary grading scale. While we strive for accuracy, all ratings are subjective and based on our best evaluation as determined by a dedicated team of researchers, from expert appraisers to knowledgeable historians and veteran collectors. Full grading details can be found on our Authentication page for reference. For a more in-depth condition report or additional images, please contact us and we will be more than happy to oblige.
Available payment options
If you have not contacted Treasure Trove Auctions 512-221-2540 to arrange payment within 3 days of the time that invoice is sent, we will charge the credit card you used to register for the auction for the amount of your invoice.
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