SCABBARD

An incomplete copper alloy scabbard chape, of Late Medieval to Early Post Medieval period (1300 to 1500 AD).

Around 75% of the chape is present, consisting of one side. The rest is missing, presumed lost in antiquity.

The chape has been made from one piece, as opposed to a front and back plate soldered together. The chape was originally U-shaped. Between the two sides an openwork chevron extends as decoration. A rounded cylindrial knop is present at the centre of the base. A small circular attachment hole is present at the top of the reverse side, with an internal diameter of 1.2 mm. Filemarks are present around the attachment hole.

The scabbard chape measures 45.2 mm in length, 20.8 mm wide and 8.5 mm thick. The sides are 1.2 mm thick. It weighs 11.9 grams.

The chape is a mid to dark green colour, with an uneven surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the ploughsoil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.

Scabbard chapes of this style are typically considered to be Late Medieval / Tudor in date, and typically date from c.1300 AD to c.1500 AD. A parallel can be found illustrated by Ward Perkins (1940, 287-288; fig. 88, no. 1), who tentatively dates the chape to the early 14th century. Several similar one piece scabbard chapes have been recorded on the PAS database, including: HAMP-40C885; WAW-F162C4; WAW-9C8FD3 and HESH-402261.