The eighteen dollar targe

[Livingston]

A re-enactor, whom I trust, tells me that there is no historical basis for those spikes.

They look pretty cool in clan tents, though!

Well there went the reason I had for putting it off Guess I'll just have to make it next month. Way to much OT till the end of the US Governments fiscal year.

Woodsheal, those are sharp. I think you gave me a new reason to put it off a little longer with the heavy leather for the front.

[switchblade5984]

alan where are the pics!!!!!!!!

hopefully Woodsheals didnt scare your targe........

J/K

[Woodsheal]

Gents,

Thanks for the kind words...!

I basically used the same methods Alan describes:
-For the front piece, a circle of leather 4 inches wider than the finished targe will be (so 23" for a 19" targe)
-The back piece an inch under targe diameter (18" for the 19" targe)
-Mark the exact center of your circle of wood, and drive in a finishing nail at that point.
-Mark the center of your leather front piece, and punch a small hole at that point.
-Glue the front piece of leather to the targe face, using the finishing nail thru the hole to center it. Remove the nail.
-Glue and nail (upholstery tacks) the rear piece of leather to the back of the targe. You can add padding under this piece if you desire, especially where your arm will be positioned when wearing the targe. I use a couple of layers of woolen fabric from scraps left over from sewing projects.
-Go around the edge of the leather front piece, cutting out 1" wedges, so it looks like a circular saw blade when you're done. This pattern allows the leather to be drawn around to the rear and nailed without bunching up.
-Thoroughly wet the "saw blade" teeth and the front-piece leather to the depth of a couple of inches to make it pliable.
-Laying the targe front face down, you'll now begin the process of pulling the leather around to the back and nailing it in place, again using upholstery nails.
-Begin at the 12 o'clock position, grabbing the top "saw blade" tooth, pulling it tightly over the rim of the targe to the rear, and nailing it in place (you'll be overlapping the rear leather piece). Go to the 6 o'clock "tooth" and do the same, then 3 o'clock, 9 o'clock, etc., pulling and nailing opposing "teeth" until you've nailed the entire circumference of the front piece over the rim and to the rear. Re-wet the leather as needed to keep it pliable.
-Now go around and cut off the tips of the leather "teeth" to give leave a smooth edge (see photo).
-Place the targe out in the sun to dry the leather, which as it dries will shrink tightly into place around the rim.

Decorate and add straps/grips as you desire. Not all targes had a large central boss. A large decorative brass nail is appropriate.



I have a friend who does re-enactment related leather work - belts, cartridge boxes, etc. He will pre-cut you the circular leather pieces in the proper weight and diameter for your targe project. PM me if interested in contact info....

[Alan H]

alan where are the pics!!!!!!!!

hopefully Woodsheals didnt scare your targe........

J/K

After seeing Woodsheals, I'm embarrassed to show mine!

It'd be a lot better if I'd a' gotten it centered!

[switchblade5984]

After seeing Woodsheals, I'm embarrassed to show mine!

It'd be a lot better if I'd a' gotten it centered!

so do i have to wait for the games to see it?!

[Andrew Green]

I have seen paintings that show targes with the center spike on there (from Culloden).
I have also seen older examples up for auction (which could have been fake) that also had the spike in there.
Yet, there are people who insist that having a spike on there is not authentic?
Which is the accurate statement?

[Woodsheal]

I have seen paintings that show targes with the center spike on there (from Culloden).
I have also seen older examples up for auction (which could have been fake) that also had the spike in there.
Yet, there are people who insist that having a spike on there is not authentic?
Which is the accurate statement?

Center targe spikes are authentic, just EXTREMELY rare! Of all the original targes still in existence, I understand that only 2 have provisions for a screw-in spike....

[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