 Just below the hilt , there are three perforations in the fuller of the blade . The largest is a rectangular slot that is 64 mm ( 2 @.@ 5 in ) long and 8 @.@ 5 mm ( 0 @.@ 33 in ) wide . This opening , known in Polish as szczyrba or szczerba , was originally caused by rust and , in the 19th century , polished into a regular shape . A small heraldic shield colored with oil paint is fastened to the slot . It is roughly triangular in shape , with the sides measuring from 4 to 4 @.@ 5 cm ( 1 @.@ 6 to 1 @.@ 8 in ) . The shield , bearing the White Eagle of Poland , was originally attached to the scabbard , or sheath . The Gothic scabbard , with a golden or silver locket and chape , was probably created in 1320 and lost between 1819 and 1874 . The shield is the only preserved element of the sheath . It was tilted to the left – from the onlooker 's point of view – while it was fastened to the scabbard 's locket , but today it is aligned with the blade . The eagle on the red field of the shield is white , with a golden crown , bands across the wings , ring on the tail , and talons . The two other perforations are round holes , 24 mm ( 0 @.@ 94 in ) apart . The upper one , just below the slot , is 28 mm ( 1 @.@ 1 in ) in diameter , while the other measures only 1 @.@ 4 mm ( 0 @.@ 055 in ) . They were probably punched in the 19th century to fasten the heraldic shield to the blade . 
