Atzinger Shield Works

Ancient, Migration and Medieval style shields for the discriminating Living Historian, SCA combatant or Western Martial Arts practitioner.


The Shield
The Process
The Options
FAQ's
Contact / Order

---

The Shield

---

• The Process
  
  Here at Atzinger Shield Works I use a process that produces shields that are many, many times tougher than untreated wooden shields, but retain the authentic appearance and handling characteristics of their medieval counterparts, since no shield "edging" is required to make them meet safety requirements.
  
  Put simply, wooden shield blanks are sprayed with a unique mixture of hardeners and epoxy. They are then sanded for the best painting surface possible. A coat of plain white gesso is applied to the finished product, and then (if neccesary) the gesso is scraped with a small blade to give it a finished smoothness.
  
  This produces a shield that can be painted as-is, or covered in embossed and painted leather for those who wish to be 100% hardcore in their presentation.
  
  
  
  
  

  ---

  
  
• The Options
  
  Atzinger Shield Works currently only creates flat and curved shield styles- dished round shields are possible, but the process used to create them is cost-prohibitive for most people. This means that curved Roman Scutums, oval Celtic shields, round Migration/Viking Age shields, medieval kites, heater shields of all types, teardrop shapes and Turkish style "eared" shields are all possible and available. Sean will accept any type of inquiry on any type of shield.
  
  Cardboard patterns should be provided by the customer for 100% satisfaction, or you can choose from any available pieces that may be posted here, or simply e-mail the dimensions and style you are after.
  
     - Prices are $150 shipping included for most standard sizes. -
  
  Larger "fat bottomed" heater shields and bigger types of scutums etc. may require additional shipping charges. Contact Atzinger Shield Works for details.
  
  
  
  

  ---

  
  
• FAQ's
  
  Q. Dear Vitus-
  I have an aluminum shield that is light, works great and will probably last me a lifetime. However, it looks like a piece of SCA equipment and not a medieval shield. I keep covering it with canvas but the canvas just gets ripped and it looks like crap all over again. How can I keep one of your shields looking new?
  -Regular SCA Goob
  Somewhere Out There
  
  A. Bondo Body Filler or regular wood filler can be used to fill any gouge, scratch or hole in one of my shields. Just fill in the hole, sand it and re-paint the damaged spot. It will look like new. Cracks that may develop with time along the blocking edge of your shield can be easily fixed with fiberglass resin or Bondo. In this way the shield will look brand new for its entire working life.
  
  
  Q. Dear Vitus-
  I notice that the shields you have made don't use any edging. Are your shields safe for use against expensive rattan swords or wasters etc?
  -Gigantic Brutal Duke
  Atlantia
  
  A. Totally. All sharp edges have been filed and sanded away. Shield edging looks horrible and inauthentic- that is why I started making these things in the first place.
  
  
  Q. Dear Vitus-
  Are your shields strong enough for jousting?
  -J.B. Crankneck
  Member WCJA
  
  A. I don't see why not. As long as it is a Joust of Peace- go crazy. Charge! I make both concave and convex styles of jousting shields.
  
  
  Q. Dear Vitus-
  The back of the shield I purchased from you doesn’t look as smooth and pretty as the front. Why? Can you suggest anything to make it look nicer?
  -Some Guy in a Trailor
  
  A. That is because I don't bother sanding the back of your shield, because the epoxy mixture is amazingly hard and difficult to sand. Take a piece of canvas, felt or velveteen and glue it on the back of your shield. It will look totally amazing- a lot better than the "RR Crossing" logo from the street sign that you currently use for a "shield."
  
  
  Q. Dear Vitus-
  How long is my new Atzinger Shield gonna last? Be honest.
  -Viking Guy
  An Tir
  
  A. I don't know. Only God knows. I have made shields that need minor repair work after a year, and shields that have been used for seven years before the wooden shield fell apart inside the applied covering. If you want a shield that will literally last forever, please see Mandrake Armory or Ice Falcon Armory. I am making shields that are designed to look and behave like actual historical shields. They are not for everyone- only those who wish to give the best historical impression possible should get one. They are great for SCA combat, WMA training and LRPG players who don't want to look like dorks. You can cover them with leather and look like something that walked out of a time machine. Sorry, but an aluminum shield will always look like an aluminum shield.
  
  
  Q. Dear Vitus-
  Do you take Paypal?
  -Some Guy Somewhere
  
  
  A. No. Check or Money Order only. Sorry.
  
  
  

  ---

  
  
• Contact / Order
  
  *** Warning- It is the customers responsibility to remind Vitus about the rules concerning the required width of shield edges in the customers SCA Kingdom, jousting troupe, WMA org. etc. ***
  
  
  Vitus@insightbb.com
  
  Atzinger Shield Works
  Sean A. Garrison
  136 Adams Street
  Louisville, Ky.
  40206
  
  502-584-9256
  
  Make all checks and Money Orders out to "Sean Garrison"
  
  Thanks.
  God bless.