Today we're going to investigate another valuable piece of a Native American's arsenal - the shield.
The shield was vital for a Native American as it protected his body from arrows, axes and in some cases bullets. It was made from the thicker, rougher shoulder hide of an old buffalo bull. The hide was heated over fire (or steamed) and rubbed with a rock to flesh it. Scrapers were used to complete the fleshing process. A smooth stone was then used to rub the hide of all wrinkles. Then, the hide was stretched over a two-foot diameter wooden hoop. Layers of hides would be sewed around the edges with strips of rawhide and feathers or paper would be stuffed between the layers for padding. Loops or bands of rawhide would be used to fasten the shield to a warrior's left arm. Decorations like horse or mule tails or feathers would be attached to the underside. Some were painted by a "good artist" in the village.
Source:
The Comanches: Lords of the South Plains by Ernest Wallace and E. Adamson Hoebel; ISBN#978-0806120409
Photo Credit - Medicine Shield - https://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/images/medicine-shield.jpg
Photo Credit - Decorative Shield - http://www.sheltonsmith.com/images/artwork/originals/2c17e-Burgess_-Quanah_-shield-2---Copy.JPG
Photo Credit - More plain shield - https://www.oldsantafetradingco.com/assets/sized/assets/collection-images/SHIE66-450x514.gif
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