Cover for an akinakes scabbard?

[Dan D'Silva]

I'm hoping (if the professor approves of it) be able to make a new akinakes scabbard out of solid wood halves for a sculpture assignment this semester. I've made two previously, but one was too modern in construction and the other was molded leather, which now seems to be inaccurate for my time period.

What I'd like to know is what material in which to cover it, if at all. I only know of a small number of finds; most them are sheet gold covers, and the only one that isn't, is a wood core that used to have a gold cover. The options feasible for me are steel, copper, fabric, rawhide, leather or leave it as plain wood.

So basically, in the absence of further archaeological information, should I take a risk? and what would be best if I did?

[daryush]

Why nt use embossed brass foil? Foil is thin enough that you can emboss it with a ballpoint pen without any specialised tools.

[Danny Bravo]

great post...........

[Dan D'Silva]

I'd like to use brass (but as a substitute for bronze, not gold, as my persona isn't a wealthy one) however getting large enough pieces would be pretty expensive, so I'm wondering if any other option is plausible. I have leather and fabric on hand, and the college would provide sheet steel or copper if they accepted the idea as my metalworking assignment.

[Alanus]

I think Nadeem's suggestion is a worthy one. By the way, what style of akinakes are you considering? The older Scythian one with two tabs only and flopping from a belt, or the four tab Sarmatian one with four tabs and tied around the upper leg? :-)

[Dan D'Silva]

The Achaemenid one One tab attached to the belt, and a cord just above the chape, looped around the thigh. Also the throat is very large and the sword's guard fits inside.

I just remembered that I do know about one other scabbard, but it was made of solid ivory, so that isn't much help.

[Alanus]

The picture says it all. Wicked fancy! Come to think about, the Scythian version had only one tab... so both the Achaemenid and Scythian versions were similar. With the over-all fanciness, I'd say your work is cut out for you.

[Michael Kerr]

I know you are doing an Achaemenid style akinakes but I have a French book on the Alans called "Les Alains" but it has an artist's impression of how a first century AD Sarmatian akinakes was attached to the leg based on a find in Pohory in the Ukraine. I wish I could give more details but I don't understand French and Google translator is pretty basic.
[attachment=10840]AkinakesThe-Alans-French-2.jpg[/attachment]
Regards
Michael Kerr

[daryush]

Sheet copper is easier to work than sheet brass, and would not be difficult or expensive to electroplate in gold or silver either. I am not sure if the colour of modern copper or brass is closer to period bronze.

[Dan D'Silva]

I'd be concerned about that as well, but moreover most finds of metal scabbard covers I know of are gold. The only exception is one from Romania, which from photos I can't tell if it's bronze or iron, and it's from far outside the core territories anyway. Also I understand chapes have mostly been found in isolation, which would seem to indicate all-organic scabbards.

So the thing is, on balance, I'm just not sure what's most plausible.

[Alanus]

Hi, Dan

Mine is just plain leather with a bit of gold leaf, akinakes in Sarmat-Alanic style.
Awhile ago, I posted an archaeological find of a warrior wearing two of them (one at each outer thigh)-- Wild Bill Alan, I think his name was. :grin:


[attachment=10858]akinakesinholster.jpg[/attachment]

[Dan D'Silva]

Hi again. I'm starting this on my own because the way the class is progressing I don't think I'll be able to do it as an assignment. It'll be based on the wooden scabbard from Egypt but with a separate chape This being the case, my options for the covering are down to fabric and buckskin.

[daryush]

You might like this:

http://nancystan.files.wordpress.com/201...c-copy.jpg

[Dan D'Silva]

It's a very impressive find. This one was doubtless not covered. There is also a bone chape held in the Louvre. It might be a worthwhile alternative to having a metal one cast.