As I understand it, the transition to the Iron Age was largely a result of a shortage of tin (e.g. coming from Britain for the western part of the Mediterranean

As I understand it, the transition to the Iron Age was largely a result of a shortage of tin (e.g. coming from Britain for the western part of the Mediterranean region). Iron weapons at the time weren't better, just more available, and no doubt steadily more as this small scale industry developed. But if you could afford it, you had a bronze sword, which is a pattern I noted a very long time ago WRT Roman legions.