10-31-2015, 05:10 AM
I ended up building a republican style scutum, about 30" x 50", oval shaped, used a 55 gallon drum for the curve. I attached a rudimentary sling to it, nailed to the inboard side, a few inches to the sides and slightly above the hand grip.
Due to that shields height, I found that having the sling looped over the head on the right shoulder, you'd need to have the sling tightened so the top of the scutum naturally rests inside the left armpit. That limits movement, by exerting just a little bit of pressure, so the scutum isn't constantly banging against your leg while being short enough so the bottom of the shield isn't dragging on the ground. Also, its not rubbing much, so no blisters. But in rough terrain, where you might have to cross obstacles requiring you to lift up the shield or else constant bumps, it might be best to shorten it more so, to throw more on your back left shoulder. But using that method it bumps often against the back of the left leg and is kind of annoying.
Either way, with the shield slung in whatever manner to keep it off the ground, you will not have enough slack to move the scutum aggressively. You can still use it defensively, to block, just no parrying, no punching with it, or what have you. So I don't think it would remain slung in close combat, too much of an unnecessary hindrance.
But there's a quick and easy fix. Simply toss off the sling loop and you're free. You can even do this with a sword in hand, I tried it. Take the sword, wedge it point backwards in your left armpit, careful not to fillet yourself, use right hand to lift sling loop off right shoulder, over head and helmet, let go of it, grab sword, engage enemy. Only issue at all with this is using a tall, stiff crest on the helmet, or a helmet with a large neck guard, which can make it a little difficult, not impossible, to chuck off the sling loop. Just a matter of contorting the helmet while looking down at ground.
Overall, I definitely believe that slings were used with infantry and cavalry shields, including the aspis/clipeus (which we know had a slinging system), scutum (some of which had rings inside for slings), flat thureos (commonly carried by cavalry, which often needed two free hands), and circular parma (cavalry and often carried by the cornicen and signifer, both of whom often needed two hands).
It's too easy not to use a sling, and since we know they did use slings for some shields I don't understand why more reenactors don't embrace it. I guess since Trajan's Column doesn't have it, nobody replicates it. But I believe the sling is definitely necessary for marching long distances (avoid fatigue of the left hand's grip), as well as non-marching duties, to free the left arm and hand, like when climbing ladders during an escalade, or when needing to carry something requiring two hands, like dragging a wounded buddy away.
Due to that shields height, I found that having the sling looped over the head on the right shoulder, you'd need to have the sling tightened so the top of the scutum naturally rests inside the left armpit. That limits movement, by exerting just a little bit of pressure, so the scutum isn't constantly banging against your leg while being short enough so the bottom of the shield isn't dragging on the ground. Also, its not rubbing much, so no blisters. But in rough terrain, where you might have to cross obstacles requiring you to lift up the shield or else constant bumps, it might be best to shorten it more so, to throw more on your back left shoulder. But using that method it bumps often against the back of the left leg and is kind of annoying.
Either way, with the shield slung in whatever manner to keep it off the ground, you will not have enough slack to move the scutum aggressively. You can still use it defensively, to block, just no parrying, no punching with it, or what have you. So I don't think it would remain slung in close combat, too much of an unnecessary hindrance.
But there's a quick and easy fix. Simply toss off the sling loop and you're free. You can even do this with a sword in hand, I tried it. Take the sword, wedge it point backwards in your left armpit, careful not to fillet yourself, use right hand to lift sling loop off right shoulder, over head and helmet, let go of it, grab sword, engage enemy. Only issue at all with this is using a tall, stiff crest on the helmet, or a helmet with a large neck guard, which can make it a little difficult, not impossible, to chuck off the sling loop. Just a matter of contorting the helmet while looking down at ground.
Overall, I definitely believe that slings were used with infantry and cavalry shields, including the aspis/clipeus (which we know had a slinging system), scutum (some of which had rings inside for slings), flat thureos (commonly carried by cavalry, which often needed two free hands), and circular parma (cavalry and often carried by the cornicen and signifer, both of whom often needed two hands).
It's too easy not to use a sling, and since we know they did use slings for some shields I don't understand why more reenactors don't embrace it. I guess since Trajan's Column doesn't have it, nobody replicates it. But I believe the sling is definitely necessary for marching long distances (avoid fatigue of the left hand's grip), as well as non-marching duties, to free the left arm and hand, like when climbing ladders during an escalade, or when needing to carry something requiring two hands, like dragging a wounded buddy away.
