My Leather Sword Scabbards.

Ben just emailed me asking about sword scabbards, so I thought to make my reply easier, I would post what images I have of my own creations. Ben asked if he could make one like a large knife sheath, well that is basically what I did for both of mine.

The leather for my basket hilt sword is quite heavy, and there were three layers to get through. So I found it easier to clamp the pieces together and use a drill in stead of an awl.

I did not have enough length of leather to make this scabbard in one piece, so I had to add a piece on the end.

At the hilt end of the scabbard I added an extra strengthening piece which you can also see in the image below.

After the main body of the scabbard was finished, I covered the whole in clothing weight leather.

The hanging straps are from some old horse tackle that I had laying around. I am not claiming that this is a copy of any original, it is simply the best I could come up with in my limited skills at scabbard making.

This is my hunting sword and scabbard, which was a little easier to make, because it is short and all one piece construction. I did use an awl on this one.

This is the leather scabbard frog I made up based on a Ranger frog used for a bayonet. I wanted an angle on the sword so it would not just hang down straight.

Original 18th century sword and frog.

The backs of two frogs.

More sword frogs.

Making A Simple Leather Sword Scabbard Frog. Short Video.

No special tools used during this construction. I made my own awl, and I cut the leather with my clasp knife. I used a fire log to place the leather on to make the holes. It took me about an hour to make.

Original Shot Pouch & Horn.

Possibly early to mid 18th century. Note the button closure and the ball or bullet board/block.

My shot pouch that I made many years ago.

More On Tudor thread bobbins.

http://leatherworkingreverend.wordpress.com/2012/03/27/tudor-thread-bobbins/

Making A Leather Drawstring Pouch.

I needed to make a new larger pouch for my medical kit so that I could add some extra items, so I decided to make this video. I realise that this is a simple process, but that is probably because we have done this before. I have noticed quite a few people have made shot pouches with the stitching on the outside. For a repair this does not look too bad in some cases, but in a new pouch it can look strange. Some of my gunpowder bags have the stitching on the outside, but this is hardly noticed as the leather is thin and soft, and the stitches close and small. It is a personal choice I guess, but in shot pouches I have yet to see an original that has not been turned with the stitching on the outside.


Several people have contacted me and said that leather is very costly, and where do I get my leather from. Most of the leather items I make come from second hand leather, purchsed from an op-shop such as St Vincent De Paul, or the Salvation Army op-shop. It usually only costs a few dollars for a decent sized piece. The pouch in this video was made from a leather mini skirt!

Scabbard and all.

I finally finished my scabbard. I made it out of 5mm leather, then covered it with clothing weight leather. Not a top job, but it will do. Actually I am quite pleased how it turned out. The carrier straps I adapted from a couple of very old bridle straps that I had hanging in the shed.

My First Powder Horn.

I made my first powder horn over 30 years ago. I did not have many tools, and was not sure how to make a secure plug for the horn, so I decided to use leather. I moulded the leather to the horn base and secured it by binding with cotton cord. Then I melted wax on the cord and around between horn and the leather cover. It was a make-shift job that worked out very well, and above all it was practicle and safe.
I have no idea if this was ever done originally, but it does show what can be done if you give a problem some thought.