[Sean Flynt]

Does anybody know how to create the woven suspension shown here? Is the woven part distinct from the belt or of the same piece? Similar knots shown in historical artwork look less like this basket weave and more like the more complex variety of turk's head knot.

Is any type of complex knot or weave appropriate for a German scabbard in this period?

[Russ Ellis]

It's not entirely clear to me what that weave actually is on the top of that scabbard. Like you I assume that it is part of the suspension but that may or may not be the case. I wish there were some pictures from different angles so we could ascertain for sure. Of course maybe now that this has been brought up maybe someone who has seen that particular scabbard in person may be able to shed some light on the subject.

I can say that I've seen simpler versions of a similar appearing suspension illustrated just recently in one of the Osprey titles that I just purchased from Allan. I believe it was the Knight Hospitaller (2) 1306–1565 book.
I need to go back and see what the reference on the illustration is (hopefully there is one). It looks like a very interesting suspension and one that I hope to convince some enterprising customer to pay for sometime in the near future.

[Russ Ellis]

Unfortunately there was no reference on the picture...

[Matthew D]

I was looking at my leather braiding book and it appears it might be a variation of double gaucho knot..