The eighteen dollar targe

[Woodsheal]

Yep, they're quite cheap and easy to make! I've made two....

Spring for a few more dollars for actual leather, however, and you'll have a finished product much closer to the real thing. You want a heavier leather such as cowhide for the front face, and thinner for the backside; deerskin is good. On my second targe I used unborn calfskin with the hair still on.





I made the armstraps adjustable with brass buckles, and added slings for carrying the targe on one's back when not in use. You can see two methods of construction: the front leather overlapping the back piece, or vice-verse....

[Alan H]

Woodsheal, those are gorgeous! Whoooaaaahhhhh. It helps that you got the boss actually in the center of your shield

*groooaaannn*

How much did the leather cost you?

[Colin]

Woodsheal,
those are fantastic looking. I am going to have to make one of those for myself to go with the basket hilt broadswoards I am planning on getting one of these days.

Did you use a similar process to Alan's? If not, how did it differ?

Alan, have you seen this one before http://www.imperialweapons.com/armour/macnaughton.html

[MacWage]

Woodsheal,
those are fantastic looking. I am going to have to make one of those for myself to go with the basket hilt broadswoards I am planning on getting one of these days.

Did you use a similar process to Alan's? If not, how did it differ?

Alan, have you seen this one before http://www.imperialweapons.com/armour/macnaughton.html

On the link:
The Targe, decorated round leather covered wooden disc, was the shield of the Scots. The design on the targe was specific to his clan, just like the tartan in his kilt.


Now, I've NEVER heard THAT before!!!!!!

Does anyone know of a historical basis for such a statement?

[Andrew Green]

I don't beliece that statement. Targes were likely to have simpler designs, given their function. There are a few styles that have been associated with prominent figures... like Scottish Sword and Shield's "Rob Roy" targe, which is based off of a statue of Rob Roy MacGregor, or perhaps something like the Stewart targe, which has a fair amount of Jacobite images on it. Beyond that though, I honestly do not know for sure. Perhaps targes had characteristics that could have been similar to a particular maker, if they indeed were made by a particular artisan in an area... it would be similar to tartans having distinct characteristics based on region... but if they were an individual creation... I doubt that they would have had such associations.

[auld argonian]

As an aside, I seem to remember that a combat expert on "Two Men In A Trench" showed the two men how a combatant would have used the targe, dirk and sword: targe on left arm and gripping dirk in the downward position with the left hand while using the right for the sword. This would kinda mean that whatever handle of the targe the left hand was engaging, it would still have to be able to get a grip on the handle of the dirk. Just something to think about in the process of design.

Best

AA

[Andrew Green]

There were targes that were designed to work with that...
some had wrought iron handles that had some sort of scoop, or otherwise shaped so you could still wield your dirk. This is what I am planning to emulate when I build up one for myself.

[Livingston]

As an aside, I seem to remember that a combat expert on "Two Men In A Trench" showed the two men how a combatant would have used the targe, dirk and sword: targe on left arm and gripping dirk in the downward position with the left hand while using the right for the sword. This would kinda mean that whatever handle of the targe the left hand was engaging, it would still have to be able to get a grip on the handle of the dirk. Just something to think about in the process of design.

Best

AA

Can't remember where I found this pic but here is what you were describing.