I had already thought of that Dale B, mostly highlanders who were afoot. They would have had to carry their claymores (hope I spelt that right), and the dampness of northern UK would have made a scabbard a nessessity to keep your sword from all turning to rust before you got to the battle. But the highlands' claymore was a weapon used by so small a percentage (compared to the armies of the world), I didn't mention it. Still, my original point remains, I have yet to see a medieval painting of a back scabbard.

 Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things!  ; )