Strange Shield for Discussion

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by RobT

I think the wooden grip is rigidly attached to the shield to prevent it from wobbling when hit with an opponent’s weapon. The leather grip is designed to be pulled to the wooden grip when the user’s fist is clenched, thus allowing the user to hold the shield rigidly.

RobT,

Depending what the origins end up being on the type, this may not be true of the leather strap.

When considering 4 boss India shields with only leather straps, this can be seen as so.
With 6 boss, the 3rd pair with a strap act as a supporting wrist strap whilst the other two are grasped.
Often lost from these Indian shields is a simple shoulder or back carrying strap that is looped through the grip straps.

The type under discussion, if using the India type as a guide is a "4 boss"

If this is found to be SEA in origins, only that timber section is gripped whilst the strap slips over the wrist.