Battle-Ready Germanic Shield Boss | 14 Gauge Forged Steel Umbo

Blackened Conical Shield Boss for Germanic Battle Shield

A Striking Shield Boss for Round Shields

The boss is made from approximately 2 mm or 14-gauge steel. It consists of a deep conical dome terminating in a pronounced point and a broad surrounding flange with four holes for rivets or nails. Its matt black, lightly antiqued surface resembles the irregular finish of hand-worked historical iron fittings.

The internal space measures approximately 12.5 cm or 4.9 inches across, providing room for the hand and a central wooden grip. Its overall diameter of 20.3 cm or 7.9 inches spreads stress across a wider area of the shield board. The 12 cm or 4.7-inch depth also provides generous clearance between the knuckles and the front face of the shield.

Historical Background and Use

Central shield bosses had been used in Europe since antiquity and remained widespread throughout the Migration Period and Early Middle Ages, approximately from the 3rd to the 11th century. They were particularly associated with centre-grip shields carried by Germanic warriors, Late Roman soldiers, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and other northern European peoples.

Historical shield bosses were commonly hemispherical, conical or moderately pointed. This exceptionally tall and sharply pointed example is a stylised design inspired by Germanic and early medieval forms. It is therefore particularly suitable for LARP, theatrical combat, fantasy equipment, display shields and re-enactment settings where strict archaeological typology is not required.

The primary purpose of an umbo was to protect the hand gripping a horizontal handle behind the central opening of the shield. Its curved surface could deflect strikes and prevent a blade from reaching the warrior’s fingers directly. Shields were not merely passive defences, however. Their rims and centres could be used to disrupt an opponent’s balance, bind a weapon or create an opening for a counterattack.

How to Fit the Shield Boss

• Cut an opening no larger than approximately 12.5 cm or 4.9 inches in the centre of the wooden shield board.
• Before making the final cut, confirm that the flange completely overlaps the opening and leaves sufficient timber around each rivet position.
• Centre the boss over the opening and mark the drilling points through its four mounting holes.
• Use rivets or nails of a suitable diameter for the 6 mm or 0.24-inch holes.
• Fit sufficiently broad washers on the reverse to prevent riveted ends or heads from sinking deeply into the timber.
• Peen and smooth every rivet end carefully so that it cannot injure your hand or catch on a glove.

Before fixing the handle permanently, check that the boss provides adequate room for your hand while wearing a glove. Safe clearance should remain between your knuckles and the steel even during rapid shield movements.

Technical Specifications

Care and Safe Use

Wipe the shield boss dry after use and protect it regularly with a thin coat of mineral oil, gun oil or microcrystalline wax. Pay particular attention to scratches, exposed edges and the areas around the rivets, where moisture may penetrate beneath the surface finish. Do not store the shield while wet, inside an unventilated cover or in prolonged contact with damp leather or fabric.

The pointed apex may cause serious injury if used carelessly. Never thrust the boss towards another participant and do not use it in uncontrolled full-contact combat. Check the rivets, wooden shield board and all exposed edges before every event. Suitability for a particular historical battle, HEMA, SCA or LARP event must always be confirmed against the organiser’s rules. This model is not automatically suitable for buhurt, Battle of the Nations or other full-contact disciplines.

Recommended Accessories

• Wooden round shield blank for Germanic or early medieval equipment dating from the 3rd to the 11th century.
• Steel rivets and broad washers for secure mounting and better load distribution.
• Wooden centre grip inspired by Migration Period and Viking Age shields.
• Rawhide or linen covering for reinforcing the face of the shield.
• Leather or rawhide edging to protect the circumference of the wooden board.
• Padded leather glove for a more comfortable and secure grip.