« Back to Glossary Index

protective sheath for a pruning saw or other tool.

scabbard (Wikipedia)

A scabbard is a sheath for holding a sword, dagger, knife, or similar edged weapons. Rifles and other long guns may also be stored in scabbards by horse riders for transportation. Military cavalry and cowboys had scabbards for their saddle ring carbines and rifles for transportation and protection. Scabbards have been made of many materials over the millennia, including leather, wood, and metal such as brass or steel.

An elaborate Celtic scabbard of 1-200 AD, in two colours of bronze
1916 Leather Scabbard for a saddle lever-action rifle of Jack Peters, a ranch hand that worked on the Grant-Kohrs Ranch, in Powell County, Montana

Most commonly, sword scabbards were worn suspended from a sword belt or shoulder belt called a baldric.

« Back to Glossary Index