Scottish Targe – Sios
The targe is a fairly heavy tough shield, after all it needed to deflect axes, and English arrows.  This one was made with a 1/2 inch core of plywood and hardwood. The reverse has 2 layers of boiled horse suede, and a layer of rabbit fur held on via 1 1/4″ buffalo hide strips. The handle is 7 oz hardened leather riveted to the wood and covered with horse rawhide. The strap is 2″ wide and of the same material as the handle. It too has a rawhide padding cover. The face is made from 7 oz vegetable tanned leather stained and sealed. The centre boss is 12 gauge steel riveted and cold soldered into place.
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.
