SCABBARD

An incomplete high tin copper-alloy or pewter scabbard chape of late Medieval to early Post Medieval dating (AD 1450 to AD 1550).

Description: Only one half of the chape remains, likely the front plate. It has a wide scallop end with a small terminal knop. The grooves and ridges which create the effect of the shell radiate out from a recessed openwork trefoil, with two of the holes parallel towards the upper end. Immediately before the trefoil is a transverse ridge. Above the ridge is a set of three circular holes and then another transverse ridge. The mouth of the chape has a central double crescent creating two more circular hole sa the centres. Either side of which is ia stepped corner. The reverse is concave to allow the fitting of the chape to the scabbard. The chape is a dark grey colour with some sparse mottled light green patination.

Measurements: 41.26mm long, 30.24mm wide, 4.31mm thick and 4.39g in weight.

Discussion: Several similar scabbard chapes have been recorded on the PAS Database including WMID-6A0C3D, NLM-5BA3B1HAMP-B0F1F9 and BUC-AB3412 to name but a few. Similar chapes have been catagorised as a type III, by Ward-Perkins (1993, 285, fig III). Other examples have been published by Bailey (1995, 70). All are considered to be Late Medieval to Early Post Medieval in date c. AD 1450 to c. AD1550.