Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Talhoffer Buckler
Came home from work early today to try out a "Talhoffer" buckler. It's 16 gauge steel and very nicely shaped - not bad at all for $35USD, free shipping. Note the faux "acorn hat" with Seahawks logo.
Anyway, this is one of the types of bucklers seen in the 15th Century illustrated manuscript authored by the fencing master Hans Talhoffer. The one on the right in the picture below has knobs or spikes around the edges.
Talhoffer was quite a man of his times with interests in several fields besides the martial arts - a few I had to look up as I'd never heard of them before, like onomastics and auctoritas. Spell check doesn't even know what they are. He also trained opponents for Trial by Combat.
As a buckler is mainly for parrying, it doesn't protect like a shield proper - as reflected by most rules. No missile saves!
The flanged shape and upturned ends were designed to deflect blows and thrusts.
The center hand-held grip also denotes its primary function.
Anyway, it's a nice mid-week diversion that is otherwise filled with work and fighting traffic. En Garde!
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Very cool!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rodger! If it weren't illustrated in the manuscript I would've thought the shape was pure fantasy. Warm regards, Dean
DeleteAgree with Rodger!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Phil! The buckler is sized and balanced nicely. Best, Dean
DeleteAlways thought they were just round, very cool!
ReplyDeleteSame here, Fran. I suppose all the Fantasy designs really have a base in history :) Regards, Dean
DeleteAnother splendid addition to the collection Dean.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michael. Love your latest work for the Challenge. Warm regards, Dean
DeleteAnother great armour!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mike! Guess collecting armor is still with me in 2016. Warm Regards, Dean
DeleteLooks great. Not a shape I'd seen before.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Simon. Some of the illustrations in the Talhoffer manuscript have some very weird looking stuff. They give any Fantasy designer a run for the money. Best, Dean
DeleteWow, very cool!!
ReplyDeleteAppreciate that, Ray. It's a cool design and the best part it's historical. Regards, Dean
DeleteBooooooo Seahawks! Although you do have our old Wisconsin QB.... ;)
ReplyDeleteLol! You're certainly not in a minority, PC. There are a lot of folks where I work who feel the same way about the 'Hawks. They're definitely a team you either love or hate.
DeleteNice piece that Dean, I use an earlier round buckler for manuscript I.33 style sword & buckler. Welcome to the world of vom tag & videboge. Best HGA.
ReplyDeleteThanks, HGA! I am continually impressed with your martial and historical knowledge. Regards, Dean
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