The boss measures 3.5″ total diameter with a 3″ central dome and 1/4″ rim.

The boss can be attached in multiple ways:

• With a ring of nails around the edge of the rim.
• By cutting a hole in the leather for it to fit in.
  • Insert the boss before fastening the centremost nails.
• Using our bolt system to secure the boss to your targe face.
  • This system is best used when installed from before you begin assembling the targe
  • If you are using this on a completed targe you will need to make a small incision on the rear of the targe to install the bolt.
    • This can be concealed by gluing the backing material down after

No more will you have to use sub standard chandelier parts to construct a targe. Use a hand hammered boss from historical crafts for your targe project today.

*please note: the bosses are not polished, they are shipped straight from the swage block and some hammer marks will remain. To protect the boss a plastic film is left on throughout the manufacturing and shipping process. Once your boss arrives you can enjoy the pleasure of removing the film to reveal the shiny boss underneath. This is shown in the images above with the “dirty” looking bosses still having their plastic film on. The “clean” boss has had the film removed.

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Ben Kerr developed this kit over a decade of teaching targe making and use. Ben has worked closely with, and handled, many original targes to study their construction. Many students who have completed his targe making workshop in-person have gone on to use their targes in training and through their feedback the kit has been improved to ensure that the end result is not just a beautiful piece but is fully functional. The targe held by the West Highland Museum was selected for the beginner level kit as it is one of the less intricate historical designs but still produces an heirloom quality shield, depicting the beauty and high level of craftsmanship that targe wrights were famous for.

Class Pack Details

We offer class packs to help reduce the costs for a school, camp, club, or group of friends who wish to all make kits together. To do this the kits are not individually packaged but rather all sent in a single box. Artificer coins will be sent to wherever the class pack is sent and will need to be distributed by the class leader. Each class pack contains enough materials and tools to complete 8 targes.

Targe Kit Details

When designing a kit we seek to make sure that every kit contains everything that is need to complete the project from start to finish. This means that every tool that you are instructed to use is included, every material part of the kit is included, leather dye is included, all you need to provide is your time and a nice wall to hang the piece on when you finish!

This kit includes natural materials. The face of the targe is veg tan leather and the back of the targe is hair-on cow hide and as such there is likely to be variation in colour (especially of the back) there may also be some natural flaws in these materials. Our team inspects every face and back prior to dispatch to ensure that the natural flaws will not interfere with the successful completion of the kit nor take away from the kits beauty upon completion. By ordering the kit you accept the natural condition of the materials.

Once you complete your kit you will be eligible to claim your Artificer Coin, learn more here.

Each Kit Contains

• All Materials necessary to produce a Complete Targe
• All the basic tools required to finish the kit
• A full size pattern sheet for the West Highland Targe
• A detailed instruction manual guiding you step-by-step through the process
• A facsimile of Highland Targets and Other Shields by James Drummond (1873)
• Guide to original source material on the use of the targe
  • The Highlanders Method of using the Sword by Thomas Page (1746)
  • Facing a Man with Sword and Targe by Donald McBane (1728)
  • Copy of the Penicuick Sketches (1745)

The post 8 x Targe Kits (Class Pack) appeared first on Historical Crafts.

Ben Kerr developed this kit over a decade of teaching targe making and use. Ben has worked closely with, and handled, many original targes to study their construction. Many students who have completed his targe making workshop in-person have gone on to use their targes in training and through their feedback the kit has been improved to ensure that the end result is not just a beautiful piece but is fully functional. The targe held by the West Highland Museum was selected for the beginner level kit as it is one of the less intricate historical designs but still produces an heirloom quality shield, depicting the beauty and high level of craftsmanship that targe wrights were famous for.

Targe Kit Details

When designing a kit we seek to make sure that every kit contains everything that is need to complete the project from start to finish. This means that every tool that you are instructed to use is included, every material part of the kit is included, leather dye is included, all you need to provide is your time and a nice wall to hang the piece on when you finish!

This kit includes natural materials. The face of the targe is veg tan leather and the back of the targe is hair-on cow hide and as such there is likely to be variation in colour (especially of the back) there may also be some natural flaws in these materials. Our team inspects every face and back prior to dispatch to ensure that the natural flaws will not interfere with the successful completion of the kit nor take away from the kits beauty upon completion. By ordering the kit you accept the natural condition of the materials.

Once you complete your kit you will be eligible to claim your Artificer Coin, learn more here.

Each Kit Contains

• All Materials necessary to produce a Complete Targe
• All the basic tools required to finish the kit
• A full size pattern sheet for the West Highland Targe
• A detailed instruction manual guiding you step-by-step through the process
• A facsimile of Highland Targets and Other Shields by James Drummond (1873)
• Guide to original source material on the use of the targe
  • The Highlanders Method of using the Sword by Thomas Page (1746)
  • Facing a Man with Sword and Targe by Donald McBane (1728)
  • Copy of the Penicuick Sketches (1745)
• Information for you to apply for your Artificer Coin upon completion of kit

The post West Highland Targe Kit appeared first on Historical Crafts.

Our pattern sheets are made of paper and are a full size pattern for the face of a targe.

How To Use a Targe Pattern Sheet

• Pin the center hole on the sheet to the center of your targe blank
• Use an awl to mark the location of each nail through the center of each nail circle on the sheet
• If there are leather carving details you can transfer them by:
  • lightly wetting the leather
  • pinning pattern sheet to leather over relevant section
  • tracing the relevant section on the pattern sheet with an old ball point pen using moderate pressure
    • this technique will work best when used on Vegetable Tanned leather prior to staining or sealing
• It is essential that the pattern sheet does not shift once you start
  • In our workshops we put a nail or pushpin through the center and then through 8 other diagonal points to stop shifting.
    • Ensure leather is completely flat on the face
    • Nails don’t need to go deep as they should be removable
• Once the pattern is fully copied remove nails and take off pattern sheet.
• If completed correctly you will be able to see where each nail should be hammered to make the targe.

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