by Karolus, Staff Writer

"I'm not suprised that you do not recognize me, Caesar... at the battle of Munda my eye was struck out and the bones of my skull crushed. And you wouldn't recognize my helmet either, for it was split by a Spanish Falcata." -- Seneca, De Beneficiis

Fulvio Del Tin's version of the ancient Spanish Falcata is another tribute to his workmanship and historical research. Formerly imported by Museum Replicas Limited (who now imports a version made by Windlass Steelcrafts of India), the #202-A Falcata is still produced by Del Tin and retails for around $200 US.

The Del Tin Falcata is a replica of a later variation of this design, which orignally dates back to the 6th-5th Centuries BC. The design originated in the middle east, particularly from an Egyptian bronze-age sword called khopesh. In it's original form, known to the Greeks as the Kopis, it was a long, single-edged and particularly brutal hacking sword, the blade of which alone measured upwards of 65 c.m. This weapon later evolved into a shorter "cut-and-thrust" (according to Peter Connolly) sword called the Machaira. The machaira became almost universally popular throughout the Mediterranean world due to Greek colonization and commerce. It saw service with many soldiers in the armies of Alexander the Great, where it saw action as far afield as India. Some say it's presence there influenced the design of the Ghurka's Khukri (it may have also influenced other designs, such as the Turkish Yataghan. I have seen no documentation of a direct connection there, but it certainly looks feasible!)

The Romans called the sword Falcata. It did enjoy some popularity among certain pre-Roman Latin tribes, including the Etruscans, but it was in the hands of Spanish Mercenaries serving under Hannibal in the first Punic war where the Romans really came into contact (literally) with the falcata. According to Polybius, it was the falcata which influenced the Romans to reinforce the rims of their sheilds with iron. But in the end, it was with the stabbing sword -- the gladius hispaniensis, also introduced by the Spanish -- that the Romans defeated the Carthaginians and their Celt-Iberian allies and conquered the Mediterannean, making the falcata obsolete.

While I don't know which particular sword Fulvio Del Tin chose to replicate, there are several examples preserved in museums throughout Europe. There is one particular, beautifully-preserved example of a Spanish Falcata in the British Museum which is very similar to the one produced by Del Tin. There are also representations of the falcata in period artwork, statuary, and pottery. Like many of the originals, the forward-sloping "convex" blade features a double fuller which runs seperatly from the hilt and then joins approximately 14 1/2 inches up the blade. My particular Falcata was purchased through Museum Replicas Limited before they went over to Windlass Steelcrafts. The blade is of CK55 Krupp steel, while the newer production blade are made of a chromium-vanadium steel known as 50CRV4. While my example does not have an edge for safety reasons, it certainly could take one.

Museum Replicas advertised the hilt as being cast of brass -- it is actually bronze. The hilt itself is cast with a bird's head, partially enclosing the gripping surface, which affords a more secure grip, as I find the bronze rather slippery. It does feature some engraved designs near the top of the hilt -- these are strictly ornamentation and do not effect the handling qualities. It features a full-length tang, the end of which can be seen at the "bottom" of the hilt (there is no pommel). The tang does not protrude, and is ground to present a contiguous surface with the bronze hilt. It is definitely a blade-heavy weapon -- this is as it should be. It's not a "finesse" weapon, but neither is it clumsy. The falcata is stricly a "hacking" weapon, a role it fulfills beautifully. The forward balance is perfect for a weapon which may be called on to split open your local legionaries' bronze or iron helmet... as well as his skull. The Del Tin Falcata may be lacking in grace, popularity, or "cult-status", but it is a highly accurate replica of a type of sword most people don't know much about and is a "must-buy" if you are into the military history of the Ancient world. Further, it can be used exactly like the originals were at places like Cannae or the Trebbia.

Overall length: 25-1/4 inches
Weight: 2 lbs 14 oz
Length: 20 1/8 inches
Blade width 2 1/4 at widest point
Point of Balance: Approx. 2" - 2.25" fore of hilt.

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