RomanArmyTalk

Hello forum,

Do you know of any possible late Roman scabbard decorations, especially in the 3rd century?
I do not mean scabbard slide, chape, or mouthpiece, but rather something like certain patterns or large inscriptions embossed into the leather covering the scabbard.

It’s just that the later scabbards seem so empty compared to their earlier cousins.

Regards
Kai

Hi Kai,
actually I am dealing with scabbards, therefore I can perhaps answer your question:
Yes there were decorations on the scabbards, in the wood, for the leather i am not sure, if there is any evidence.
For the scabbards have a look here:
A. Rau, Zwischen Südjütland und Nordgallien – Ausrüstungen elitärer Krieger der frühen Völkerwanderungszeit aus dem Nydam mose. In: Abegg-Wigg/A. Rau (Hrsg.), Aktuelle Forschungen zu Kriegsbeuteopfern und Fürstengräbern im Barbaricum. Internationales Kolloquium unterstützt durch Carlsbergfondet. Schleswig 15.–18. Juni 2006. Schr. Arch. Landesmus. Erg.-R. 4 (Neumünster 2008) 151–174.

Thank you very much! I will take a look into this as soon as possible. However can you tell me what kind of decorations in general you found?

regards