Scabbard slide, scabbard strap-slide

A copper alloy scabbard runner with a short central panel which tapers from the top and has chamfered edges. The upper terminal is flat on the back, but has baluster moulding on the front. The lower section has been stepped back and continues the taper of the central panel, but its terminal is missing. A small hole torn through the top and bottom of the central panel indicates how the runner has been attached by separate rivets, an unusual feature which is possibly secondary.

This form of scabbard runner is closely connected with the ring type as exemplified by another London example, although possibly more common and earlier in date. Examples in Britain include those from South Shields, Chesters, Corbridge, Newstead, Caerleon, and Cirencester, while there are also a number from Saalburg, Stockstadt, Niederbieber, and Cannstatt. An example from a tower (Turret 50b) on Hadrian's Wall indicates that this form was in use in the early to mid 2nd century A.D.