He's a History lesson for free, Elder Futhark originated from the Germanic tribes from the 2nd to the 8th century, which is one of the area's the Anglo Saxons migrated from to England. In Scandinavia from the late 8th century, the script was simplified to the Younger Futhark, while the Anglo Saxons extended the Futhark which eventually became the Anglo Saxon futhorc. The Futhark of 24 letters is called "Elder Futhark", and was used mostly before the 9th century CE
In England, the Anglo-Saxons brought Futhark from continental Europe in the 5th century CE and modified it into the 33-letter Futhorc to accommodate sound changes that were occurring in Old English. In England, Anglo-Saxon Futhorc started to be replaced by the Latin alphabet by the 9th century CE, and did not survive much more past the Norman Conquest of 1066
This strap end dates to is what's known in England as the Dark Ages, when Anglo Saxon and Viking Invaders occupied the land. Both Saxon and Viking strap ends are very similar in design, both used fantastic animal designs, it's not the lack of any runic letters that dates this item to it being Saxon /Viking but the design, and as both used this type of design, it's very hard to tell which one.
SS
both Saxon and Viking used runes, and it has correctly been identified it is a strap end not scabbard. The beast / animal head puts it in either time frame you decide Roman Hunter....nice find.
