Hello,

I'm not sure if this has been covered before, my quick search didn't come up with anything, if it has I'm sorry.

I recently got a pair of GDFB bucklers, and I was wondering how they were suspended from the scabbard in the middle ages?

I tried putting the handle over my scabard mouth then inserting the sword, but the handle doesn't stick out enough for that to work. I've also tried using a leather strip to hang it over the scabbard and inserting the sword after I've looped it over. But then it just hangs weird and makes an excessive amount of noise when ever I move...I'm also worried either the sword hilt or buckler will get nicked up or damaged if it does that for too long.

Does anyone know how bucklers were hung from the scabbard during say, the 15th century? They are always seen in paintings and drawings hanging there but I don't know how they did it.

I'm sure somebody out there must have an answer, any information is greatly appreciated. :)

Have you considered where the term "swashbuckler" supposedly comes from ?

I have seen two types of hangers for bucklers. one is a little belt hook that basically clips the buckler directly to the belt. The other type is a little loop of leather attached to the buckler grip, and the sword slides through the loop while going into the scabbard. Thus when you draw your sword, the buckler is automatically freed from the scabbard. Someone has done illustrations of this on these forums, iirc, but I don't offhand know where. Later, when I have more time I'll try and dig it out if no one beat me to it.

Afaik, the term swashbuckler comes from bravos who would beat on (or "swash") their bucklers with the flat of their swords or rapiers as a taunt/intimidation. Am I wrong?

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=dYc9AAAAIA...mp;f=false

The quote at the top of the page from the Shorter OED

Here's the earlier thread I was talking about:
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?p=109424#109424

Lots here: http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...ht=buckler

Scroll down to see my description/diagram of the suspension on a 16th c. buckler at the Royal Armouries-Leeds.

Thank you Craig and Sean, you guys helped me alot. :)

Gerard David, 1515:

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