The tang is an extension of the blade which projects though the hilt. The tip is peened flat over a washer or small stud. The pommel and guard on some Pompeii style swords were very small. Walnut is popular for its attractive contrast with the bone grip, and is certainly permitted, but lighter woods should NOT be stained. The grooved bone grip was usually hexagonal or octagonal in section.
Some blades are very subtly waisted, others have parallel edges.
The points vary from about 4 to 10 inches, and the shoulders of the blade are rounded or sloped. Unfortunately no hilts have survived, which at least indicates that they were probably wood. Scabbards were made of wood covered with thin leather. Pompeii type scabbards had chapes and throats of similar construction, but the edge gutters generally did not extend top to bottom. The decoration could be embossed, stamped, punched, or pierced, and frequently the brass parts were tinned or silvered.