What would be the gauge of steel I'd need to make a decent shield boss? I tried one out of 22g steel and it really didn't come out quite the way I'd liked. My first shield was a plank shield but I didn't use a boss, and since then I wanted a more fantasy based shield with a boss. Or if there is a supplier out there of bosses that won't break my budget I would appreciate any links.

Thanks,

Ken

My own exploring of armoury websites has found the following best "looking" two deals on shield bosses. Alas, I cannot vouch for either as I've not had the spare cash to purchase them yet.

http://therionarms.com/reenact/com300.html
http://www.gdfb.co.uk/acatalog/Bosses.html

If you try either, please share your experiences. There is a dearth of reviews of armourers.

Therion arms supplies a very nice, heavy duty boss; I have 3 of them. For SCA or other severe usage, these will work very well. Sean Richards of Roman Legion Quartermaster can produce a boss which is slightly lighter, and has a more obviously hand-made look to it; I just got one from him.

Ken;

Merc tailor's also makes shield bosses for D.I.Y. work:
http://www.merctailor.com/catalog/product_inf...ucts_id=99

Were you decide to buy and which you prefer is up to you but M.T. gives fast and reliable service if this is important to you.

Hi all,

I wanted to thank everyone for their advice about the shield boss, I just received my boss from TherionArms today. Hal's a great guy and was a pleasure to do business with. When I finish the shield I will post pics.

Thanks again, this list is the best!

Ken

One of these! I built it awhile back, and the thing has held up really well in rapier combat.

once I started getting the hang of how to use it, I found it to be pretty effective. ;)

I like Aaron's view. Why be bothered by pesky foot-soldiers anyway? Horse and lance, thats where it's at. As long as your protected by your very own pesky foot-soldiers! Didn't jousting shields actually attach to the breast plate, or other junk on the harness? At least during the later periods?

My reco of an non-full-bronze urnfield shield:

[ Linked Image ]

Convex, 2 layers of limewood planks (cross glued), 2 layers linnen on the back, 3 on the front, covered with rawhide. The boss is after finds of France and Switzerland, the nails after an find in bavaria. The decor is after the "Herzsprung"-shema. I guess, the driven decors of the fullbronze shields imitates paintings.

The backside is non-spectacular: an elmwood handle and an deerskin around the griphole. All glueings with hideglue. Paintings with pigmented kaseine-colours.

62cm in diameter, 2cm thick in the center, carved down to 1cm to the edge.

It´s an very light (and quick) shield.