Shield edging

[Caballo]

I've always thought that shield edging was leather or rawhide, sewn on with sinew.

This pictures from Nydam (many thanks , Medicus Matt) seem to show that the edging here was nailed on with small dome headed nails. Certainly, this would be quicker that driling and sewing, though I'm not sure of the exact age of the shield.

Question- would this be authentic (I'm working up a late Roman shield)?

[Medicus matt]

I've always thought that shield edging was leather or rawhide, sewn on with sinew.

This pictures from Nydam (many thanks , Medicus Matt) seem to show that the edging here was nailed on with small dome headed nails. Certainly, this would be quicker that driling and sewing, though I'm not sure of the exact age of the shield.

Question- would this be authentic (I'm working up a late Roman shield)?

That's metal edging though. Stitching for rawhide/leather and nails/clips for metal.
And those shields are 3rd century.

[Caballo]

Thanks Matt!

[chrisanson]

I've always thought that shield edging was leather or rawhide, sewn on with sinew.

This pictures from Nydam (many thanks , Medicus Matt) seem to show that the edging here was nailed on with small dome headed nails. Certainly, this would be quicker that driling and sewing, though I'm not sure of the exact age of the shield.

Question- would this be authentic (I'm working up a late Roman shield)?

That's metal edging though. Stitching for rawhide/leather and nails/clips for metal.
And those shields are 3rd century.

so they are rivets not nails?

[Medicus matt]

They're peened over on both faces to create domes so I suppose they are rivets and not nails.

[M. Demetrius]

Of course, lots of rivets start out their lives as nails, don't they?

[chrisanson]

they do in my workshop:grin: