SCABBARD

An incomplete copper-alloy scabbard chape of probable Medieval date (AD 1066 - AD 1500). Length 57.0mm, maximum width 22.0mm and maximum thickness 6.0mm. Weight 7.63g. The chape has been cast in one piece and then folded longitudinally into two equal parts. Originally it had two pairs of arms, projecting from each of its upper corners. Only the pair of arms at one side now survives and the other pair is missing due to old worn breaks. The surviving arms are 30.0mm in length and the sides are parallel having a width of 4.0mm. The inner faces of the arms are flat and the outer faces are convex. Both the outer faces are simply decorated with transverse grooves. At the attachment end the arms expand to form a trefoil-shaped element that accommodates a copper alloy rivet, the shank of which is circular in cross-section and has a diameter of about 1.0mm. Each head of the rivet is burred over although one is slightly more rounded than the other. The base of the chape is triangular in plan and is 27.0mm in length and has a maximum width at the top of 19mm. Each face of the base has openwork consisting of three circular perforations, two above and one below. All the perforations are similar and have a diameter of 2.2mm. Each side of the base is indented. At the folded side, where the upper arm is missing, there are two indentations of equal size and shape which have right-angled corners. On the other side there is one large irregular-shaped indentation with one much smaller indentation above and below. The surviving part of this chape is in good condition and has a mid to dark green patina overall. No analogy found by the recorder. Probably Medieval.