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→8.6 Shield Guidelines
==8.6 Shield Guidelines==
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General Notes
# All shield boards must be constructed from exterior grade plywood of a minimum of 9mm (3/8”) thickness. Other methods of construction (planking, etc.) will be examined on an individual
basis. Shield boards of 8mm may be used if the shield is faced with stout hide of at least 2mm in thickness.
# All exposed plywood edges must be disguised. Please pay attention to the cut-out behind the boss of a centre-grip shield.
# All shields must be edged with leather or rawhide. Nails used to attach the edging must be flush with the surface. Stitching edging to shields is highly recommended. The edging must always be in a good overall state of repair. Metal edging must not be used on combat shields.
{{Special Mention Box|Officer=Make the MaA happy|Title= More shields with sewn on shield rims
|Caption= Although we cannot categorically say that shield rims were not nailed on it is more likely that they were sewn on with stitches about 3-4cm apart. The thread used can be leather thong, string (or linen thread), or sinew.}}
# All shield board fronts must be covered in cloth, leather or rawhide. This prevents splinters from impacts to the front of shields causing a hazard to other combatants. Shield backs may be similarly covered.
5. All uncovered plywood surfaces must be scored in the direction of the grain so as to give the impression of planking.
6. All shield boards must be in good general condition, and free of holes and splinters.
7. Washers used in the construction of a shield should be distressed, or otherwise disguised, so as to hide any evidence of modern manufacture. Washerless clench nails can be used only after the approval of the MAA or one of his deputies. Clenching seems to be the most common way of securing a boss to a shield, but can be tricky and cause safety concerns.
8. All bosses must be made from steel or forged iron and must be free of rust and burrs. If they are of spun construction, they must be disguised to hide any evidence of spinning marks. They
must be attached to the shield board with a minimum of four rivets, with the use of five being encouraged.
9. Shield bosses must have a diameter between 76mm (3”) and 178mm (7”), excluding the flange. They should be of hemispherical, conical or mammoform section, and may be “shouldered”.
10. Any shield may have metal strapping or re-enforcement added to the back of its board. Such bracing should show no evidence of modern manufacture and should be perpendicular to the planking of the shield. Additional metal strapping or metal plate decoration on the front face of the board must be avoided.
11. As a general note, shield types other than those detailed above (such as oval, Slavic, Pictish, Byzantine, etc.), may be given consideration for certain datelines and contexts. However, since the vast majority of our events are set within the British Isles and within a given period, there would be very few, if any occasions when such items may be needed. If you have an interest in equipment from another period or geographical area, the MaA will be happy to discuss with you the possible uses of your equipment in a Regia context.
==8.6.1 Round Shields==
