The Roman Pilum was the weapon that made the Roman Army as effective as it was in battle. The tactic of throwing volleys of Pila to disrupt the formation of enemies and than close with the Gladius was unique to the Roman Army. Toy Soldier manufacturers rarely make accurate Roman Pilums. The haft can be too short or the point of the wrong shape. A lot of drawings and information is available on the Pilum; so I cannot understand how these errors occur, except for a lack of research.
The haft of a Pilum should be 5 feet long, with a metal tip at the base and a socket for the shaft at the top. The shaft should be 18 to 24 inches long of round section with a quadrangular point. The shaft is hardened at the tip for piercing armor; but the shaft is soft so it bends upon impact with the target to prevent it being thrown back. Toy Soldier manufacturers have made model Pilums without the quadrangular points or with flat shafts; neither of which is historically accurate.
The signature weapon of the Legions of Rome should be made accurately IMO!
The haft of a Pilum should be 5 feet long, with a metal tip at the base and a socket for the shaft at the top. The shaft should be 18 to 24 inches long of round section with a quadrangular point. The shaft is hardened at the tip for piercing armor; but the shaft is soft so it bends upon impact with the target to prevent it being thrown back. Toy Soldier manufacturers have made model Pilums without the quadrangular points or with flat shafts; neither of which is historically accurate.
The signature weapon of the Legions of Rome should be made accurately IMO!
