Help Identifying Shield (or something like that)

Recently won this eBay auction, the object interested me so I went
ahead, bid, and won.

It arrived today, as described in the auction and now its become a
puzzle figuring out exactly what it is. From the pictures and straps

Andy Dingley...

Manufacturing is modern, with a mechanical power press, not even hammer
worked. The style is generic "anything from Rome to Roundhead" so it
could be Hollywood prop or a toy? Use of metal is historically unusual
as it's heavy and doesn't absorb blows well and the few steel shields
that were used hostorically were rarely bigger than bucklers (a soup
plate with a handle on the back).

A posting to rec.org.sca might be enlightening.

it seems to say "I'm a shield" and indeed given the strap position it
fits perfectly as a forearm shield, but is fairly small and would
really only cover the forearm. Historical support for this shape and
size of shield are limited to Roman accounts of Celtic tribes that used
a shield resembling this but of course that is too old. The dent on on
the boss seems like it could be either from use or from something
falling on it in storage. The only background known is that it came
out of a box from a midwestern barn that was being emptied as part of
an estate sale.

Examining the item in person reveals that it does not look so much like
a brass finish, but a copper plating of another metal (steel or iron).
There is a distinct area on the back where the broken strap is that
looks like the copper finish was worn away. The rest of the finish
seems to be dominated by rust spots and brown patina. The boss on the
front is of historical design (the cinquefoil) and is kind of wobly.
The affixing point for the boss on the back looks like a plug of some
kind with a small bump, where presumably, some kind of stem from the
boss pokes through. The edges of the shield are rolled over (does this
nessecarily mean it is a stamped piece vs. hand made in some fashion).
It is also worth noting the position of the standoffs for the leather
strap are not equal width on both sides and appear to have been
reaffixed at somepoint with very large sloppy welds or perhaps they
were large and sloppy to begin with.

Any ideas as to what this could be would be welcome as it is quite a
puzzle. Maybe its not a shield but some other mundane device, but the
mystery of deciphering it is the most fun from my perspective.
Absolutely the only object bearing a resmeblance can be found by doing
a web-search image search for "grecian shield". The measurements described
in that now-defunct auction matched perfectly.

Jessica V....

Hi Chris,

It does look like some sort of shield, but hey I could be wrong. Maybe
the folks at the Higgins Armory in Worcester, MA would be of help.

William Black...

It's the same shape as a late Roman cavalry shield.

But way too small...

Possibly made as a child's toy.

Simon...

I wonder if it was a film or theatre prop. Just a guess.

Kris Baker...

I don't think it started life as a shield.

Looks like a boilerplate, stove opening cover, fireplace opening cover -
something like that. Maybe even an old car or machinery access
port cover? The leather straps have been clumsily attached, like
you'd do for a high school play.