Making an Aspis - Ring Method (Visual Aids)

[Chris B]

Next, I curve the edges that will lay flat on the aspis at 90 degree angles from the middle section. Basically, the porpax turns out at 90 degree angles where the oval starts to form a triangle. Then I bend the oval section into a nice smooth shape by hand. 18 or 16 gauge metal can be easily bent by hand to fit around the arm.



Then I polish it on the outside and glue a leather liner to the inside of the porpax. I will attach it tomorrow or when I get the rosettes I am waiting for in the mail.



I am going to use nails with ribbing through the shield. Then I will use 22 gauge brass to make very thin washers like for Roman belts and rivet the nails on the face of the shield. I will hammer them very flat and they will not show through the cloth front. They will also not pull out when used.

I am using very plain solid brass cabinet handles shown on the above picture to the far right as the attachments where you will grip the rope. I will use rosettes to back the rings and to hide how they are attached.

The simplest way to get rings are to take solid brass hooks with screws, screw them into the rosettes, and close them into a circle (as shown above in the picture far left). They are strong and will not pull out of the shield. This time I am going to use thin brass rods to make attachments for each ring, drill small holes through the shield, and rivet them to the front side.