Sharkskin is the material of choice  for swords to this very day; one had only
to hold a sword at the carry for a half-hour on a hot summer day to appreciate
it. You will also require fine braided silver wire; if your swords are like
most of that period, the wire is used to keep the sharksin in place and assist
in maintaining a good grip.  Contact Major Andre Levesque, Governor General's
Foot Guards, in Ottawa, Canada, at (613) 244-5300 x3372. He can put you in
touch with sword cutlers such as Wilkinson Sword in Sheffield and the Solingen
manufacturers in Germany.

Harry Needham