I wasn't going to include this bit from the Sofia News Agency, since the mention is so very passing, but I can't help but wonder:

Customs officers from the Danube Bridge checkpoint prevented an attempt to smuggle antiques out of Bulgaria on Sunday. Among the precious pieces they discovered an officer's sabre from the nineteenth century, a medieval sword, Roman metal spear gads as old as the second century A.D. and other items. All the items were discovered in a truck traveling from Bulgaria to Germany. The truck that had German license plates was transporting textile fabrics.


... what are 'spear gads'?