Plural of chape; metal end caps or fittings on scabbards, sheaths, or belts to protect and reinforce them.
From chape (Old French chape, from Latin cappa, 'cape' or 'cover'), referring to protective metal coverings at the ends of sheaths or straps.
Medieval weaponry involved incredible metallurgical detail—the chapes on a sword scabbard had to be precisely fitted or the whole weapon could fail in battle, showing how craftsmanship meant survival.
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