Make A Viking Shield From A Wine Barrel

This instructable shows the basic steps to make a viking shield from a wine barrel top and some staves.  This is not a definitive guide but more a method. My usual shield base is 3/4" solid core plywood lacking a wine barrel top this is a good substitute.  The spike can be cut from any hardwood a 2" x 2" x 6" piece will do.
  I found the slight curvature gained by the flex in the doweled oak wine barrel top  interesting when the attached to a barrel stave. The spike is removable and sheathed  on the back much like a Scottish targe.

Step 1 Tools and Materials

Tools
  Drill and bits
  Hammer
  Band saw or jig saw
  Razor knife
  Propane Torch
  Wire Brush
 
Leather Tools ( Not completely necessary but handy)
  Strap end punches
  rawhide mallet
  skiver
  edge beveler
  saddle stitch groover
  dividers
  #0 Grommet setter

Materials
  Hair on Cow hide
  Tooling Leather 10 - 12oz.
  Shearling
  Latigo or Bridle leather 7 to 9 oz
  Double cap rivets
  Conchos
  Upholstery Tacks
  Copper Brads
  5/8" T-nut
  5/8" x 4" Hanger Bolt
  Trim Screws
  #0 Grommets
  Titebond 3 wood glue
  Old Wine Barrel Top
  Wine Barrel Staves
  Amber Shellac, Varnish, or a water based clear coat
 

Comments

[tmaguire]

Thats a pretty cool shield. Its a little barbarianish to be considered viking but would definately be a great feature piece for a wall or mantlepiece.

This is also an awesome instructional on how to make a shield. Its a little easier to understand and has diagrams. Also it is an authentic type shield. :)

http://norsearmsandarmour.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-make-viking-shield.html

[ninja of suburbia]

My compliments on a truly well done 'ible. this is clear and concise, and would easily be adaptable to a fully combat-grade shield, simply by employing armor-grade leather and iron strapping in place of the hide and bridle leather, and using metal for the knots and spike. Once again, congrats on a truly excellent 'ible!

[bevmo63]

Thank you, You are absolutely right about the strapping. I guess this ended up being more of a functional "Ceremonial Shield" Than a true battle piece.

[ninja of suburbia]

yes, but it is still remarkably well done, and ends in a beautiful finished product.

[Valtis]

The sheild is not very viking looking, trust me im from Västerås. But most people do actully think that vikings look that way, If you actually consider making a helmet please make it look like the real deal Vikingahjälm http://spqr.se/pictures/products/helmets/med_h26_2.jpg. It looks very nice though like it came directly from a fantasy movie

[bevmo63]

Yes We Silly Americans with our pre-conceived viking notions. Perhaps it would have been more traditional making it out of a mead barrel. Free license reigns in the realms of ignorance. I still like it...

[Valtis]

Even thoug its not quite "historiskt rätt" its a pleasure for the eye to gaze upon and dream that I one day would make one my own, but then more "vikingish".
Great Job

[brutallyfrank]

Great workmanship !  The spike and the celtic decorations may not be historically correct, but the Vikings were piratesand could very well have looted those items from their victims and decorated their shields with them.  Your next project should be a Viking helmet.

Best Wishes

[bevmo63]

As Per Your Request The  Leather Scale Maille Vendl Helm   Will Be Posted Soon.

[draghi]

is this a period viking design?

[bevmo63]

This is not a true "period" viking design. The Vikings would have used a mead barrel instead of a wine barrel. The screw in spike was adapted from a Scottish Targe and the woven knots are Celtic.  I probably should change the tags for the purists in the audience.

[jacob2die4]

great idea.. but its no where near a viking shield.. sorry

[moo of the cow]

 this looks awesome!!!!! i so want to make it!!!!! 

[TheChickenTalon]

Um...

Not to sound pretentious or anything, but where do you find an old wine barrell?  I dont know about where you are from, but wine barrells arent exactly just laying in the gutter where I live.  Where did you get yours?

Nice ible btw :)

[bevmo63]

I Found Mine. Failing that, the plywood mentioned in the beginning works just as well. The cross bar could be made from any wood.

[pyra_builder_1337]

sweet this will make a good addition to my viking arsenel i made a hammer styled like the one in your previous ible and i also have a large wood cleaver that i got for an axe

[bevmo63]

Send me some pix. Love to see what you did.

[red-king]

awesome!

[DannytheGreat]

the only shield (that I know of) with a spike is a scottish targe

[bevmo63]

You are (possibly) historically correct. A little free license never hurts though.

[l8nite]

A lot of work but really spectacular results, nicely done "ible" as well

[masterochicken]

That's just freaking cool. 5 stars.