"When did sword scabbard become metal" Topic

Looking at most 18th century soldiers the sword scabbard was usually black leather. But during the Napoleonic wars it was usually metal.
When did this change happen?

It was a gradual process from the mid 18th Century onwards primarily amongst mounted troops. Swords and bayonets for those on foot tended to be carried in leather and remained so. Not all armies 'went metal' as such scabbards were criticised for blunting blades. Also, not all metallic scabbards were fully metal. Some remained leather but with metal sheathing and decoration on the outside. You will need to check the individual armies to see who did what.

Back in College, I read Lewis Edward Nolan's (Balaklava) book on British cavalry. One of his big problems was the insistance of the higher ups in retaining the metal scabbard. As I recall, he may actually have been influential in forcing a change to wood or leather.

I believe in the wooden scabbard-or scabbard interior- was the practice in India, and adopted by cavalry in the HEIC Army. Nolan, having served in India, argued this practice should be adopted by British cavalry at home.

But wouldn't the dulling problem be fixed simply by lining the inside of the scabbard with a thin layer of swade leather?

Wood might be cheaper more durable.