c. 1600-1625

Lantern Shield

This hybrid fencing weapon combines the defensive properties of a shield and gauntlet (protection for the hand) with offensive capabilities. The middle knuckle has a threaded hole that once held a menacing spike, while a retractable blade would have jutted out below the glove. A cylinder near the top would contain a small lantern. Light could be emitted outward through a round trapdoor, visible on the exterior of the shield. The notched border as well as the flat band running along the perimeter of the shield were each designed to catch an opponent’s blade. The wearer’s left hand, protected in the flexible gauntlet, would have been able to grip and wield the whole apparatus by the moveable handle (see second image above).