"Roman Gladius Scabbards" Topic

No doubt a classic "It depends" answer applies but if we treat it as a general question and restrict ourselves purely to the Gladius regardless of sub types. So not longer weapons.

What, if any, historic information do we have as to their colour?

Assuming there was one applied and the answer isn't just "wood" or "leather".

Repros seem to come in, shades of Red, Black, Natural wood, occasional Green, the odd blue one, or sometimes brass covered. Both with or with out brass trim.

Any foundation in these or mostly just made to look nice?

Little enough evidence but archaeology provides some hints, art work a few more.

Red?I believe some analysis of finds at sites such as Vindolanda suggest red dye was used.

Black? We know the Romans extensively used black dyed leather.

Natural leather or wood? This is just an obvious choice.

Bronze (rather than brass) scabbards have been found. How common is up for debate. Given bronze fittings are more likely to survive it may be a false-positive. I'd be inclined to think officers would have this more expensive material.

I used dull red for my leather, I think it looks nice.

I think I would agree that a Red would be the most common.

Romans were big users of Madder (Rubia tinctorum) as a fabric dye and it works well on leather too I understand. It tends toward being a dull red and I have long thought it more suitable as a tunic colour than the brighter reds people associate with Legionaries.

Makes them standout on the table but doesn't chime with period dye stuff.

Assuming of course the off white, that has become more popular for use on miniatures, in recent years, isn't what you chose. I have to admit its creeping into my use these days

Trajanus,
"What, if any, historic information do we have as to their colour?"

We know three things. Roman legionnaires wore standardised armour but not uniforms. Second, that dye doesn't penetrate thick leather easily and gradually wears off. And third, that dye could interfere with the absorption of the oils that were frequently applied to make the leather last.

So, just as centurions really didn't care what colour tunics their men wore, I suspect you'll find a range of scabbard colours on your average contubernium: different shades of leather ranging from sandy to very dark brown and a maybe a few with some individualised metal decoration.