Rings on belts...

[Jim Smith]

I've recently seen some re-enactors (C15) wearing metal rings hanging from theior belts by a leather strap. I was wondering what these were for and if they are in fact correct. Possibly a hanger for a sidearm?

[acecat999]

sword hanger

but a maglite fits in there very well.

[matilda]

well, they're sold as sword hangers, I have one, but don't use it - because the sword hangs straight down and trips me up (doesn't take much ) also if you're battling the weapon falls out......

[guthrie]

I seem to recall discussion on them before on this forum.
The teeny tinsy wee problem with such a thing as a sword hanger is that the sharp sword can then cut your leg...

You can put an axe in one if you like, but I don't recall anyon putting forwards much evidence that they were used for swords or anything else.

[Anthony of the MSS]

"how a man shall be armed" mentions this as being used for a dagger when in FULL harness in order for a quick draw.

As you say they shouldn't be used for swords etc and not without leg harness

[John Waller]

"how a man shall be armed" mentions this as being used for a dagger when in FULL harness in order for a quick draw.

As you say they shouldn't be used for swords etc and not without leg harness

Actually it's for a short sword :- And then his shorte swerde upon the lyfte side in a rounde rynge all nakid and pylle it oute lightli. The dagger is hung on the right side And then hange his daggere upon his right side no mention of a ring or scabbard for the dagger. The context is for a man in a tourney not on a battlefield.

[Kane101]

i've use one to hang a short fighting axe from but like most i've stop using it cut it gets caught up in my legs and end up holding the axe while on the march.

[guthrie]

Ah ha, thank you. So like a lot of things, they should only be used within a specific context, i.e. when wearing full plate, and probably not whilst riding a horse. The hanging dagger perhaps means the dagger is in its sheath hanging from the belt.

[Dave B]

"how a man shall be armed" mentions this as being used for a dagger when in FULL harness in order for a quick draw.

As you say they shouldn't be used for swords etc and not without leg harness

I'm still not convinced that these rings were ever used just to have an unsheathed blade stuck through. I thought that the rings on harness belts then hung a scabard, but allowing it to swivel as the blade was drawn, like this one

[Chris, yclept John Barber]

I find mine invaluable for my warhammer. Others in our group use them for axes. I think they're good for anything with a short shaft with a wider head. As noted by others, a sharp sword would be a bit hazardous but a haft won't do any harm.

[Fox]

I'm still not convinced that these rings were ever used just to have an unsheathed blade stuck through.

I confess likewise; my brief dalliance with one many, many years ago led me to the conclusion that the blade simply falls out any time you try to do anything dynamic.

So how do we interpret...

And then his shorte swerde upon the lyfte side in a rounde rynge all nakid and pylle it oute lightli.

[Langley]

Well silly me - I always thought they were for keeping your fox tail neatly attached...

[Tiddles]

I have a metal one and a leather one, but only use it for an axe or short sword when walking around camp.

When in combat even a small axe can get in the way or fall out. And its not unknown for your opponent to "borrow" it from your belt

I suspect they are a reenactment only product as a cheep and simple alternative to a scabbard.
Dare I say it but they are very popular in the LARP world.

[acecat999]

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... EIQ8wIwAQ#

[Mark Griffin]

a look at some of the feast scenes in the Beachamp Pageant show them being used by servitors. (at least i think they are!)

We use them for theatrical purposes as they make a nice 'ching' when you draw your weapon. Now that's authenticity for you!