Leeuwen Pugio Dagger – Deepeeka

This reproduction of the Leeuwen Pugio is crafted with an unsharpened blade of high carbon steel. The hilt is crafted from fitting slabs of carved horn over the blade tang and then finishing the hilt with an outmost layer of brass. This layered grip was then riveted and pinned through for a final, solid construction. The strip-beading decoration is riveted to a single side of the guard.

The Pugio comes with a matching companion scabbard of brass with reproduced brass strip-beading adornment on a single side.

This replica of the Leeuwen Pugio is based off the original, which is in very good condition. Many Pugio, such as the Leeuwen had embellished and artful scabbards which indicates that they were a status item for the military men who could afford them. A number of well-preserved Pugio daggers have weathered history to attest to this; likely it was a prime item for such luxury-item treatment as it would be much more expensive to embellish a sword in a similar fashion and unlike the sword, the compact Pugio would be worn at nearly all times.

Despite Roman proclivities for status signaling, the Pugio was no mere fashion accessory; the wide, short and stiff blade was an excellent thrusting weapon and its blade shape and construction lent it a degree of reliable durability that a soldier needed if his sword was damaged or lost in combat. The wide blade guarantees that a stab wound from the Pugio is made into a garishly wide wound.