Leather scabbard?

[Marcus Hortensius Castus]

Salve Arahne,

There are numerous examples from the Danish Bog Finds where both the leather and the wooden core have survived. Most are C3rd or more, but a late C1st Pompeii-type short sword does survive with a Germanic scabbard.

Simon James' report from Dura Europas mentions a wooden scabbard with traces of a fabric covering - the weave ran in line with the scabbard so it was probably part of the scabbard rather than simply a cloth bag that the sword was preserved in. An iron chape also retained traces of leather.

Vale,

Celer.

So a question, maybe the point is slipping over my head, but does that mean at least one scabbard out there (and probably more) were in fact covered with fabric as opposed to leather? Or would it have been a third layer, or the inside like some of the former posts also suggest?

It would be logical though, if your scabbard broke in the field and you made a replacement, you may not have leather readily availible or in fact, you may just prefer fabric for ease of construction, and could take the fabric from an old tunic or cloak.