That's a lot of weapons to lug around!

Have you ever tried taking all of your weapons to training?  Without a good weapons bag it can be quite a task.  When AndyKeyworth of the Jinenkan Dojo in Ottawa said he was going to Japan for training, and needed a weapons bag I jumped at the chance.  This was a great opportunity for me to use leather, wood, fabric and metal in the same project.

The bag is just under 7 feet long.  6′9″ in total.  The leather is 4 oz chrome tanned and dyed leather and the straps are all 8 oz buffalo hide.   The unit has 1 zipper and two tags and the zippers join at a locking loop of brass to allow for shipping.  The strap is removable and the sundries pouch attaches to the inside for shipping.

The main board is made of particle wood wrapped in 6 layers of sail cloth.  This cloth was varnished 6 times and painted black.  The grommets are all #3 nickel and there are 12 rows of them.  This gives just under 6′ of strapping surface.  Each of the series of holes has a bungee cord in a figure-8 between all three to give tying surfaces on both sides that are strong and long lasting.  The ties that hold the board in place also have room to tie longer weapons to the top.

The rivets are all copper rivet and burrs, and the stitching (except the zipper) was done with fine waxed cord.  If only shorter weapons are used the ends can be tied down to shorten the whole apparatus.

These units are available on custom order only.

Front of the targe. No spike inserted.

My customer requested a Scottish style targe similar to one a common soldier would use.  He named it dìonadair, gaelic for protector. This targe is constructed of hardwood with a plywood and core, with a face constructed with 7 oz vegetable tanned leather.  The reverse is rabbit fur covering 2 layers of horse hide with vegetable tanned straps holding all in place.

The design is a double cross of Saint Andrew made out of antiqued steel points with the four points of the crucifix having antiqued steel disks.  The boss is made from 14 gauge carbon steel with a 6″ spike that sets in a keyhole mechanism.  The reverse also has a leather “sheath” for the spike and a shoulder strap harness to help balance the shield, or carry it over long distances.  The handle is made of vegetable tanner leather, and is adjustable.

Back of the targe. Spike in the sheath.

Scottish Targe II, displayed in profile

Welcome to the Kingsley Armoury.   We specialize in high-quality historical shields and small leather armour pieces, as well as knife sheaths, Scottish regalia, weapon bags, and other custom leather products.  Everything is individually hand-made and tailored to customer specifications.

If you are interested in having something built, or have questions about our pieces please do not hesitate to contact us.

I started with a 36″ piece of 10 oz vegetable tanned leather and two 16″ straps.  I did the carving on the leather with some traditional knot-work and the trinity at each side to represent mother, father and child as the beginning and end of life.   The braids, initials and ribboned heart in the center were the customers request.

The braiding along the edges just finished it off.

The piece was oiled with neats-foot oil, stained with a leather polish, then finished with mink oil.  Lastly the edges were gummed and stained black.

Faith- a Scottish targe design with the cross as it's boss, and the Holy Trinities surrounding it.

Faith is a Scottish targe by design, with a core of hardwood and plywood.

She is covered with a five-pound layer of buffalo hide.  The reverse has three layers of horse suede with a padded centrepiece for the arm.  The boss is embossed cast-iron that has been inset into the center of the shield.  Radiating from the four points of the cross are the Holy Trinities.

There are over two hundred nickel-plated points; the straps are all seven- to eight-ounce cow-hide, and the handle also serves as a shoulder strap.  Lastly, the shield is quartered with the cross of St. Andrew.

Faith may protect your spirit, but wood, leather and iron will protect your body!

This piece is for sale.

The back of the shield has 2 layers of horse rawhide that has been stained black. There is a leather padded strip to cushion the arm and the straps are made from 8-9 oz vegetable tanned leather. The rim has been laced with shrunken rawhide to keep the leather taut.

The boss is made from cast iron and bolted to the shield. The wood under the shield was routed out so the cross would countersink, The trinitities radiate from each of the points of the cross and the cross of St Andrew is visible as well.

This warrior is sporting a scale vambrace on his sword arm and is armed with a sax. He is defended by Faith and is wearing padded armour.

I used vegetable tanned leather for the whole project and lined it with horse hide suede.  The straps were made of 8oz vegetable tanned leather dyed a deep black and riveted together.

The customer asked for a realistic shield that would be representative of a common soldier.  He wanted rough lines, religious symbolism and an antique look.  As such I adorned it with the Cross of Saint Andrew, and crucifixes for each of the 4 compass points, plus one on the reverse that could be kissed before battle.  The four extra steel discs were the last touch.  With this shield I also gave the customer a small repair kit as he intends to use it in battle reenactments in Scotland.   He has since named the shield  Sios (Shee-uss, or Gabh sios or Gahv Shee-uss.) meaning down.