2nd-4th century AD. A hollow-formed bronze chape for a scabbard, D-shaped with slightly convex obverse, scooped upper edge with incised detailing and fixing pin to the rear; to the obverse possibly later inscribed in neat seriffed capitals 'CºHVIITHRAC / VINDELIBASSO' for Coh(ors) VII Thrac(orum) '7th Thracian Cohort' and a place-name of Vindelius Bassus. See James, S. Excavations at Dura Europos 1928-1937. VII The Arms, Armour and Other Military Equipment, London, 2004, item 578 for type. 96.5 grams, 64mm (2 1/2"). From the collection of a European gentleman living in South London; acquired 1970-1980. The place-name Vindelibasso should be based on Celtic *uind- 'white' as seen in Vindolanda (Hadrian's Wall, England) and Vindobona (Vienna, Austria"). The unit Cohors VII Thracum was in Britain in the late second century. Fine condition.