Odd weapon...

[Thomas Prufer]

I propose this: A plate mail gauntlet with a small shield attached. Then a long
pointy central spike on the shield, with many small notches at the edge to catch
and break an enemy blade. A groove around the face of the shield, ditto. Two
long blades protruding from the gauntlet, extending from the knuckles, X-Man
Wolverine style. A sword blade, mounted in box thing on the back of the shield,
spring-loaded and extendable. And you can still grip a weapon in the hand
wearing this.

And the kicker, the icing on the cake: a *lantern* integrated into the shield,
behind a spring-loaded flap. You can attack in the dark, and pull the trigger on
the flap. It flips open, dazzles all enemies, allowing the blades and spikes to
do their thing...

Sounds completely crazy, right? And I would agree with any DM imposing penalties
for wearing, carrying, using, or fighting such an unwieldy fantastical device.

But someone spent serious money on making one, and they were presumably used:

Loading Image...

I found it here: <http://55tools.blogspot.de/>, Set 477, January 2013.


Thomas Prufer

[Tetsubo]

Post by Thomas Prufer
I propose this: A plate mail gauntlet with a small shield attached. Then a long
pointy central spike on the shield, with many small notches at the edge to catch
and break an enemy blade. A groove around the face of the shield, ditto. Two
long blades protruding from the gauntlet, extending from the knuckles, X-Man
Wolverine style. A sword blade, mounted in box thing on the back of the shield,
spring-loaded and extendable. And you can still grip a weapon in the hand
wearing this.
And the kicker, the icing on the cake: a *lantern* integrated into the shield,
behind a spring-loaded flap. You can attack in the dark, and pull the trigger on
the flap. It flips open, dazzles all enemies, allowing the blades and spikes to
do their thing...
Sounds completely crazy, right? And I would agree with any DM imposing penalties
for wearing, carrying, using, or fighting such an unwieldy fantastical device.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/harnett65/Album%2015/pic2773c.jpg
I found it here: <http://55tools.blogspot.de/>, Set 477, January 2013.
Thomas Prufer

There is a difference between 'made' and 'used'. I do not doubt the
former. I question the latter.

[Thomas Prufer]

Post by Tetsubo
There is a difference between 'made' and 'used'. I do not doubt the
former. I question the latter.

Not unreasonably:-)

It seems an expensive toy to make and then not use, but that would be a
Renaissance thing to do.

It reminds me of the Swiss Army knife "special edition" containing every tool
ever used in any swiss army knife, ever. Great big thing, a curio, useful as a
gift, for representation, for bragging, and for generating wacky amazon reviews,
but useless as a tool -- maybe this shield was used thus.

There *is* a reference here <http://www.thearma.org/essays/digby.html> to a
report of a lantern shield being used. A lantern attached to a shield, so as to
shine forward, is a different animal from that monstrosity. Less elaborated,
less unwieldy, and less likely to skewer the bearer.


Thomas Prufer

[Gutless Umbrella Carrying Sissy]

On Wed, 30 Jan 2013 08:50:55 -0500, Tetsubo

Post by Tetsubo
There is a difference between 'made' and 'used'. I do not
doubt the
former. I question the latter.

Not unreasonably:-)
It seems an expensive toy to make and then not use, but that
would be a Renaissance thing to do.
It reminds me of the Swiss Army knife "special edition"
containing every tool ever used in any swiss army knife, ever.
Great big thing, a curio, useful as a gift, for representation,
for bragging, and for generating wacky amazon reviews, but
useless as a tool -- maybe this shield was used thus.
There *is* a reference here
<http://www.thearma.org/essays/digby.html> to a report of a
lantern shield being used. A lantern attached to a shield, so as
to shine forward, is a different animal from that monstrosity.
Less elaborated, less unwieldy, and less likely to skewer the
bearer.

I would think the little door over the lantern would be a weak spot
in the shield. The most likely spot for an attack to penetrate. And,
presumably, splash the bearer with burning oil.

I think I'll pass, thanks.

[Thomas Prufer]

Here is the text that goes with the exhibit, translated.

<Loading Image...>


"German
Beginning of the 17th century

shield:
Lantern shield with iron glove and retractable blade shock

Blackened iron, tinned and gilt iron, red velvet

Total: L. 101 cm, H. 40 cm, W. 84 cm, diameter 40 cm
Spike: H. 24 cm

A particularly opulent and nonsensical invention is the lantern shield for night
fighters. This sign is an attempt to unite all fencing weapons of the 16th
century. It combines buckler and long gauntlet with the dagger. The retractable
long blade was to be used as an offensive weapon. The screw-on spikes on the
middle of the buckler and at the knuckles had serrated blades as scavengers
(blade-breakers? blade-catchers?). Particularly fanciful and unrealistic is the
built-lantern consisting of an oil lamp in a compass gimbal attachment.

Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Arms and Armour

Inv HJRK_A_384"






Thomas Prufer

[Rast]

Post by Thomas Prufer
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/harnett65/Album%2015/pic2773c.jpg

I'd stand well to the right of any teammate trying to use this "weapon".

[Justisaur]

Post by Thomas Prufer
I propose this: A plate mail gauntlet with a small shield attached. Then a long
pointy central spike on the shield, with many small notches at the edge to catch
and break an enemy blade. A groove around the face of the shield, ditto. Two
long blades protruding from the gauntlet, extending from the knuckles, X-Man
Wolverine style. A sword blade, mounted in box thing on the back of the shield,
spring-loaded and extendable. And you can still grip a weapon in the hand
wearing this.
And the kicker, the icing on the cake: a *lantern* integrated into the shield,
behind a spring-loaded flap. You can attack in the dark, and pull the trigger on
the flap. It flips open, dazzles all enemies, allowing the blades and spikes to
do their thing...

Damn tinker gnomes.

- Justisaur