(lol kidding)actually pete that peice was forged out of steel stock. i wanted it to match the fittings on the seax, i thought the crosshatched pettern would make a nice simple decoration 
i looked arround for some similar bridges from viking erea sword scabbards., not to copy but for insperation. i wanted it to be familar yet unique to middle earth. Ok info time i guess, the scabbard is carved from yellow pine. stained and decorated with images of the barrow downs it rides on the belt via the scabbard bridge which is held in place by natural cordage( sisal twine) which has been wood burned to a light brown color.