Round Viking Shield for Reenactment Battles

Description

Although not every Viking could afford a sword or an iron helmet, a shield protected even each of the spearmen. With the tactics employed by the Vikings a man without a shield would have been a dead one very quickly, and therefore a shield was the primary piece of armor a warrior heading for battle would acquire.

The shields were used not only defensively, but also imaginatively in various attacks. This sturdy shield has been tried and tested to endure tough battle use, and it is an indispensable addition to every Viking warrior’s armament.

This traditional round wooden shield is made of 9mm thick plywood. The front of the shield is covered with hessian/burlap, which has been painted with a traditional red burnt iron oxide color. You can paint your own symbols or decorations on it, for example the emblems of you guild, guard or clan. On the front there is a reinforcing shield boss, which is made of 2 mm thick steel, and is riveted through the shield. The diameter of the boss is 19 cm, and it’s 7 cm high.

The back of the shield is covered either with a dark brown cotton fabric, or has been left to waxed wooden surface. The differences are mainly cosmetic, so you can choose the option which best pleases your eye. The fabric cover gives a little bit more support to the shield, and may prolong its life in cases where the shield is used in very rough battles, where the risk of the shield being chopped into smithereens is high. For normal re-enactment battles the wooden surface is more than adequate.

The handle is made of birch, and at the other end of the handle there is a metal ring where you can attach a carrying belt is you so choose. The diameter of the ring is 20mm. No belt is delivered with the shield, but the narrow leather belts we have in our selection are suitable. You can also make a carrying strap from a leather strap that is 20mm wide or narrower.

The shield is rimmed with a rope that has been covered with 3mm thick leather. The rim reinforces the shield, and keeps it intact for longer.

• Hand made in Finland
• Tried and tested to withstand even the toughest Viking re-enactment battles
• Circumference c. 74 cm
• Weight c. 3,5 kg
• Made of 9 mm thick plywood
• Front covered with hessian/burlap, and painted with an authentic iron oxide color.
• Choose the back from dark brown cotton canvas, or waxed wood surface.
• Handle made from birch, with a metal ring for attaching a separate carrying belt or strap.
• Rim is reinforced with rope, covered with 3mm thick leather.
• Manufacturer: Karhunhammas – Beartooth