My new shield (Finally!!)

Dunkeljorm · Post by **Dunkeljorm** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 11:09 am

I finished it some days ago. Hope that you like it!
Click on the thumbnails to see larger images:

[img]http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/6369/frontescudo5py.th.jpg[/img] [img]http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/6898/retroscudo7xk.th.jpg[/img]

Eamonn MacCampbell · Post by **Eamonn MacCampbell** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 11:23 am

Very Nice!!!...Give us some construction details...Whats the dimentions...Been thinking about doing one like this...

James H. · Post by **James H.** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 5:55 pm

Is that plywood that's been routered(sp?) or is it made of multiple boards?

Egfroth · Post by **Egfroth** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 6:10 pm

Very pretty indeed.

However, is this for Hastings? It seems a bit late, both the shield shape (too flat at the top) and the artistic style of the picture on the front.

But VERY pretty.

Dunkeljorm · Post by **Dunkeljorm** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 6:48 pm

Hello,
Thanks to all for the compliments!

The shield is made of 1,5 cm thick plywood with "fake" board lines (better than a plain surface, right? :wink:

), the dimensions are 110X55cm.

I've glued on the wood a layer of canvas and one of veg tanned leather (about 3mm thick), nailed it to the back, then I've applied a first coat of white paint and finally the griffin. The two buckles are made of iron, the strap of the same veg tanned leather on the front, while the cushion with a softer leather, stuffed with raw wool. The rivets are simple nails with dome head (except the ones used to attach the boss, that are square section simil-hand forged ones, unfortunately they were too small to attach the straps).

The Griffin is directly taken from a stone in the Rutigliano Cathedral (10 km from my town!), dated circa 1100:

It's not been made particularly for Hastings, but for my group events, otherwise I would'nt done it in that way! :sad:

P.S. Sorry for any grammar mistake but I'm quite sleepy!

Egfroth · Post by **Egfroth** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 4:22 am

Oh, very impressive. And you've done a very good interpretation of the griffins onto your shield. Nice work.

Konstantin the Red · Post by **Konstantin the Red** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:17 am

Yes, very pretty indeed. Welcome and well come to ArmourArchive!

Gwynnin · Post by **Gwynnin** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:19 am

It looks amazing, but why have a center boss without the center grip? I've seen this done other places and never understood.
Thanks,
Gwynnin

brunoG · Post by **brunoG** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 3:44 am

Excellent.

In my area leather will cost a lot (three euros a foot or more) so I used a layer of hemplike canvas covered with stucco as foundation for paint.

Johan S. Moen · Post by **Johan S. Moen** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 4:47 am

Gwynnin wrote:It looks amazing, but why have a center boss without the center grip? I've seen this done other places and never understood.
Thanks,
Gwynnin

Just my personal opinion: Because it gives you some hard steel on your shield that can take more blows than the wood, and because it may help hits glance off or hit at a "bad" angle(bad for the one hitting, good for you).

Nice shield though, I love the paintjob! How much does it weigh?

Johan Schubert Moen

brunoG · Post by **brunoG** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:15 pm

In the 12th century we both have plain shields and shields with umbos coupled with higly decorated steel bar reinforcements covering the shield.

Oswyn_de_Wulferton · Post by **Oswyn_de_Wulferton** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:49 pm

The other idea I have heard is that it helps to keep the shield from splitting apart. It wouldnt really help to have two halves of a shield in battle

Dunkeljorm · Post by **Dunkeljorm** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 5:57 am

Hello,
thanks for all your appreciations!

For what concern the boss without center grip,seems that you already get some good answers! :wink:

The shield is quite heavy, about 7 Kg, I have in mind to make another one in the future, trying to reduce the weight...