Wood scabbard core questions

[Sir Humphrey]

I've just finished a core for my A&A Oakshot VIII scabbard.  Should I seal the core before I do the leather work to prevent swelling and retention of moister during high humidity?  Spar varnish or something similar perhaps? 

I used the scabbard instructions from Yeoldgaffer and it worked great.  In my case I measured the thickest part of the blade just below the hilt and then cut wood strips on my table saw slightly thinner than that measurement.  I glued them to one side and then sanded them smooth.  I tried to taper the thickness down to the point.  I glued the top on and then shaped the outside after it set up.  The blade fits perfectly with the top and bottom main slats holding some pressure on the thickness of the blade.  It will pass the gravity test when held upside down, as long as I dont jiggle it.

Any suggestions on a sealer?  Also, any suggestions on an approprieate chap for this late 13th cen scabbard?
 

[Sir Ulrich]

http://www.viking-shield.com/p/617/pewter-chape
Theres a chape thats the same one on my scabbard cept mines in Bronze, should work for the 13th century one fine as mines a 13th century scabbard made for a 12th century sword.

[Sir Wolf]

nice

[Sir Patrick]

Very nice!

[Sir Brian]

Excellent job Sir Humphrey! 

[Sir James A]

I don't think I would seal it. Sealing the outside of the core will make it retain any moisture that gets inside; moisture is not good for a sword. I believe the leather covering would be sufficient to keep the core from swelling or having any undue issues from ambient humidity or rain, lest you happen to drop it in a puddle for a while. It's not something I know much about, but based on my limited knowledge, I've not seen anything that discusses scabbard cores being sealed historically either.

There are also "rain guards" that cover the throat of the scabbard and are attached to the sword hilt; if appropriate to that time period (I'm not sure when they apply) then it may be an option if you are concerned about water getting in through the throat of the scabbard.

And nicely done!

[Sir Douglas]

Very nice! Can't wait to see it all finished.
What type of wood did you use?

[Sir William]

Nice job, Humphrey.

[Sir Brian]

For a 'sealant' the very most I would do and actually did with mine before sending it to T-Star Leathers for the covering was put a couple of coats of boiled linseed oil on it. 

[Mike W.]

I just noticed that the two slats that form the front and back are thicker than the two spacers on the sides. Exactly what were the thicknesses of the two?

[Sir Humphrey]

The front and back are 1/4 stock that has been thinned  a bit.  The sides are cut from the edge of another board.  They start at about 1/8 or so at taper in thinkness to the bottom.