Hello,

I have been working on a scabbard and as such have come across several questions I am having problems answering in a satisfactory manner. They can mainly be lumped into the following categories:

1)Inquiry as to the types of coverings used in sword scabbards in the 15th and perhaps 16th centuries(Leather, fabric, thickness, type)

2) How were these coverings attached? (Type of stiches used in leather- edge-flesh, saddle? Glued? Combination of both and if so, to which extent each)

In looking up information in various forums, I have encountered mention of types of wood, thickness, shapes.. But usually the method to 'stich' the leather or attach it seems glossed over, before moving on to the suspension. From some findings for knife 'scabbards' (I normally think of them as sheaths but...) both saddle and flesh-edge or such were used.. Do these transfer over to sword scabbards(wooden core, with leather or fabric covering)?

I recently saw some notes from Peter Johnson on one of the threads about the use of both glue and stitches, for grip covers, as well as scabbards, but I am still not clear exactly how the stiches were done, or thickness of leather in a scabbard application.

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?p...ght=#84315

Also, for this particular type of scabbard I have seen no chape at the throat, so how is the leather finished here? I have seen earlier styles using a triangular flap here that goes over the cross, but by this time, this feature seems gone. How is the edge finished over the wood?

As you can see I have many questions on this particular step, and do request forgiveness for springing them all at once on this post. As for a little background, I have been working on a wooden scabbard for an Albion squire Line Bastard sword, which is why all of these questions have cropped up..

Any information is greatly appreciated. if this is a thread/discussion already beaten to a pulp, i can definitely read the old threads, just was not that succesful in finding them before I finally decided to post.

Regards,

Ramon Colon

I've used 2 - 2.5 oz. vegtable tanned cow hide with great results. You definately want the vegtable tanned, and not the chrome tanned stuff in my opinion. I'm not quite sure what you mean by saddle and flesh-edge stitching. What I have done is to trim the pieces so that the edges meet, but still lay flat, and then use a running stitch (one or two needles). I patially stole that from this picture from Albion's website:

[ Linked Image ]

I don't bother with any glue anymore.

As for finishing the mouth on a scabbard like this, I would look at Aaron Schnatterly's Albion Vinland scabbard project which you can find in the Albums section. Here is the relevant picture, though:

[ Linked Image ]

Hope that helps.

-Grey

EDIT: You might also want to try some of these threads:

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=3811 This is the one that got me started
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=6348 More relevant for suspention, but you definately want to look at the drawing by Peter Johnsson (scroll down to the large version posted by Kjell Magnuson)
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=4951 This one is linked to in the previous thread. It also has the large size Peter Johnsson drawing
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=6361 This will definately be helpful when you go to do your suspension (unless you've already figured this part out, of course)
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=7922 and http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=7833 My own little bits of narcissism. I like to think they are helpful, though

Hi!
I have sent these links earlier in another thread but i think you can use them now.
http://www.sigismundus.hu/guide/show.php?l=en&p=4_41 This scabbard is covered in red velvet
http://www.sigismundus.hu/guide/show.php?l=en&p=4_37 This is covered in leather that seems to be quite thin.
Both of them seem to be glued, I haven't seen any stitches on them.
I hope this helps a bit.
Regards!