Catherine's Quest

Shield Components

Prices do not include shipping.

Hand Forged Shield Bosses

Hand hammered from 2.5 mm steel. Rough hammer finish, forge blackened and coated with wax inside and out to protect the steel. The dished area diameter and the flange diameter can be customized to your specifications. The depth is approximately 2.25".

Includes 2 free washer strips (see below)

Rivet holes drilled at no extra charge

Made from oak or poplar. Handle length and grip width will be made to your measurements, with a maximum of a 35.5" length. Comes with your choice of boiled linseed oil finish, polyurethane finish, tung oil finish, or unfinished. Oak shown.

A one piece, vegetable tanned leather grip cover can be added for an additional charge. The leather will be wet formed to the grip and hand-stitched closed using waxed thread.

Includes 2 free washer strips (see below)

This strap hardware is based off of finds from Viking graves in Birka, Sweden. This set comes blackened and waxed, and includes the washers to help keep the eyelets from chewing up the wood of the shield.

Archaeological information here:

Hand Forged

Below are pictures of my attachment method. To my knowledge, there is no historical basis for this method.

The pins are inserted into holes drilled in the handle, and then are folded up into a recessed area carved out of the bottom of the handle. The handle is then attached to the shield, securing the ends of the pins between them.

Please note - I now make the eyelets on the pins smaller than what is pictured below. They fit much closer to the ring.

Made from 22 gauge steel. Forge blackened and waxed inside and out. Clamps come pre drilled to the hole size you specify. Length and width made to your specifications.

These are approximately 6" long by 1/2" wide. Drill holes and clip off sections to use as washers for the boss and handle rivets. These come forge blackened and waxed.

Custom widths available.

Example of washers installed on a shield:

Plank construction with biscuit joinery. Available in pine or poplar with a maximum diameter of 36". Center hole cut out to your specified size. Comes sanded, with the edges of the rim and hole cutout rounded over. Canvas backing can be added for an additional charge. Blank diameters larger than 36" are available at an additional cost. Blank with canvas backing shown.

Price for poplar blank: to be determined

Diameters larger than 36": email for price

Leather facing: email to discuss details and price