chapes

Noun

chape (plural chapes)

1. The lower metallic cap at the end of a sword's scabbard.
   • The blade is 33 in. long, of triangular section, etched, gilt and blued at the hilt. The scabbard is covered with black sole-skin, with a gilt locket and chape; the locket inscribed BLAND AND FOSTER, SWORD CUTLERS[…]1904, Sir Guy Francis Laking, The Armoury of Windsor Castle: European Section, page 181
2. (archaic) The piece by which an object is attached to something, such as the frog of a scabbard or the metal loop at the back of a buckle by which it is fastened to a strap.
   • SABRE-BELT, ( black buff-leather.) — Length 36 to 40 inches, width 1.9 inch; 2 leather chapes sewed on the outside of the belt for attaching 2 brass loops […]1862, United States. Army. Ordnance Department, The Ordnance Manual for the Use of the Officers of the United States Army, page 229
3. The tip of a fox's tail.