11-03-2015, 09:44 AM
1. Yes, they are similar, because they belong to the same group. But - as I said - there are variants with or without a plate.
Apart from the missing traces of a plate, the decorated wood is the main argument against it. The use of "Preßbleche" was popular amongst the Germanic tribes, but these plates were always pressed in shape on special models (quite a mass production for the elite) and not on the objects they decorated. I know of no example where this was the case.
It is possible that there was a leather coating on the scabbard wood which reflected the design, but in Nydam leather wasn't preserved at all.
2. That something is technically possible makes it not more probable.
The archaeological record speaks against it.
3.Of course can it be lost in some cases - in others not, but the same answer as in 1.
4. Isn't this contradictory? When there are traces of silver under a rivet, this cannot be an example for it's absence.
5. Perhaps your friend isn't that "very good" blacksmith?
The drawings from Engelhardt's 1865 Nydam publication and Bemmann's from 1998 differ in details from the photo you provided, but it seems clear from the Engelhardt drawing that the frame is only in the area between the fittings and horizontally under the bridge.
Apart from the missing traces of a plate, the decorated wood is the main argument against it. The use of "Preßbleche" was popular amongst the Germanic tribes, but these plates were always pressed in shape on special models (quite a mass production for the elite) and not on the objects they decorated. I know of no example where this was the case.
It is possible that there was a leather coating on the scabbard wood which reflected the design, but in Nydam leather wasn't preserved at all.
2. That something is technically possible makes it not more probable.
The archaeological record speaks against it.
3.Of course can it be lost in some cases - in others not, but the same answer as in 1.
4. Isn't this contradictory? When there are traces of silver under a rivet, this cannot be an example for it's absence.
5. Perhaps your friend isn't that "very good" blacksmith?
The drawings from Engelhardt's 1865 Nydam publication and Bemmann's from 1998 differ in details from the photo you provided, but it seems clear from the Engelhardt drawing that the frame is only in the area between the fittings and horizontally under the bridge.
Andreas Gagelmann
Berlin, Germany
Berlin, Germany
