16th Century Targets: Always Convex? Where to Buy?
Well, the post title gets my question through well enough.

Looking for a round target / rodella / rotella shield for my late period getup. Seems that all the images I find from period sources show them with a convex curve.

Trouble is, I'm having a bear of a time locating a convex round shield online at target sizes (26-30").

My three questions, then, are:

1. Where they always convex?

2. Anybody have any ideas where I could pick up an aircraft aluminum or, barring that, steel convex shield? My only current leads either don't an ETA, are sold out due to the original smith getting out of the business (Windrose / Mandrake), or have smaller sized shields than I'd otherwise prefer (the 23" shields of Kult of Athena and/or Therion).

3. If that's a no-go, is there a manner to dish out an aircraft aluminum blank into a convex shape? I'm not metalworker or machinist or anything like that, but the wood press used elsewhere isn't going to cut it for metal, I think.
I've seen some Targets for sale online, but can't remember where they were and if they were the appropriate size, however dishing metal isn't a horrifically complex operation. You'll need a dishing stump (large block of wood with a concave hole set into it) and a couple of hammers (preferably rawhide/rubber). Search YouTube for "dishing" and you'll get a better idea of what I'm on about.
A somewhat random notion: Try the Replica Prop Forum. There's some guys there that do blank metal Captain America shields for cosplayers. They would likely be willing to up-scale them somewhat for an extra consideration. Whether you could actually get them in the necessary metal (steel) is perhaps another consideration, they tend to go with aluminum or mild steel for weight/cost considerations. Not sure how they're shaped but I think they may use professional equipment like an English wheel or something.

(edited for clarity)
Windlass has offered this one for ages: http://www.museumreplicas.com/p-643-steel-domed-shield.aspx

Same one, cheaper? http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=800176

Might be more expensive from a UK Windlass dealer, though. These go on sale in the US for around $60 from time to time.
I'm under the impression that flat wood/leather targets were in use in Britain by at least the late 16th century.
Nonther option:
http://www.thetimeseller.com/product.aspx?p=6...=1&l=2

Quote:

I'm under the impression that flat wood/leather targets were in use in Britain by at least the late 16th century.

Here in Spain there are still adargas and pavises (plus in half and small sizes) in several lists of weapons owned by citizenry in that century. But also a lot of crossbows (and swords), and what may be old fashioned weapons like darts and different spears too, so any kind of shield was still useful against someone not armed with powder weapons (quite rare in those lists) like an angry neighbour. :p
Sean Flynt wrote:
Windlass has offered this one for ages: http://www.museumreplicas.com/p-643-steel-domed-shield.aspx

Same one, cheaper? http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=800176

Might be more expensive from a UK Windlass dealer, though. These go on sale in the US for around $60 from time to time.


Those are the 23" shields he mentions being offered via Therion Arms and KOA. I'm under the impression that he wants something larger.
I realize this is an older thread, but hopefully it's not *too* old and this information could be of use.

I located a maker of steel shields. They're intended as props, but they're 8 gauge (!) steel and the round ones are 27 inches; I have no doubt that the maker would be glad to do larger or smaller sizes as well as doing up the appropriate fittings.

http://www.texasspr.com/more.php

Texas Steel Props.

For the sword types, he also does functional replicas of the Highlander katana (various film and television versions) with proper blades. Not cheap though!

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