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A scabbard is a sheath for holding a sword or other large blade. Scabbards have been made of many materials over the millennia, including leather, wood, and metals such as brass or steel.

Contents 1 Types of Scabbards 2 Ancient Scabbards 3 Modern Scabbards 4 Common Terms

[edit] Types of Scabbards

Most commonly, scabbards were worn suspended from a sword belt or shoulder belt (baldric). Some shoulder belts held the scabbard diagonally across the back (see also Koshirae. Some were worn over the shoulder, allowing longer blades to be strapped across the back, however this was slower to draw and ready a blade with, and thus rarely used except after the advent of the arming sword.

[edit] Ancient Scabbards

Wooden scabbards were usually covered in fabric or leather, and leather versions also usually bore metal fittings for added protection and carrying ease. Japanese blades, however, typically have their sharp cutting edge protected by a wooden scabbard called a saya (鞘 pron. さや).

[edit] Modern Scabbards

Entirely metal scabbards became popular in Europe early in the 19th century and eventually superseded most other types. This was due to several reasons, mostly involving the fact that metal was considered to look more 'military' by 19th century armies. The only real forces using swords (and thus, scabbards) at this time were dragoons and other mounted calvary.

Most military police forces, naval shore patrols, law enforcement and other groups use scabbards of a sort as well, for truncheons. These are leather, as they were back during the times when swords were used, since leather quieted a blade.

[edit] Common Terms

The metal fitting where the blade enters the leather or metal scabbard is called the throat, which is often part of a larger scabbard mount, or locket, that bears a carrying ring or stud to facilitate wearing the sword. The blade's point in leather scabbards is usually protected by a metal tip, or chape, which on both leather and metal scabbards is often given further protection from wear by an extension called a drag, or shoe.

da:Skede (hylster)

de:Scheide (Behälter) nl:Schede (zwaard) ja:鞘 pl:Pochwa (militaria)