The Gun shield, even though it is quirky, and you probably never heard of it, actually existed. I spotted one in a museum and thought it would be fun to make one.

So, here it is. And it actually shoots -gumballs.

I also have a video tutorial you can watch for this project. It is at the bottom of the page.

This project also comes with a video. It is at the bottom of the page.

Will has a youtube channel with over 700 videos on projects you can make. Check it out right here

Here is a picture of an actual 17th Century Gun Shield from the Higgins Armory in Worcester Massachusetts. (Regrettably the Armory is now closed)

And it really shoots -gumballs. Or some other kind of small object. You can see the red gumball coming out in this picture.

I show you how to make the shooting mechanism. It works with one hand so you can hold the shield. And it has a magazine so you can load a bunch of gumballs into it.

Earn a Certificate of Contribution!

If you make this project email me a picture! I will email you a certificate of contribution from stormthecastle.com You can print it up and hang it on the wall.

Tools and Materials:

• 2 Sheets of foam board (You can use cardboard instead) You can buy it on amazon here
• 18 inch length of 1/2 inch PVC pipe. Can get at home improvement store for about a dollar
• 10 inch length of 1/2 inch wooden dowel - Home improvement store for a dollar
• 1 big rubber band, or multiple smaller ones
• Electrical tape or some kind of tape
• Glue or hot glue gun
• Sharp Hobby knife - I use an x-acto knife
• Paints: Black Acrylic and Silver Acrylic

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Overview of making this project:

There are two different parts to this project. The first part is the making of the shield. It is pretty straight forward and easy to do. The second part is the making of the gun mechanism. That is also pretty easy and you just need a few basic materials to make it. And, you can improvise by using different materials once you understand the basic concept of how the gun is made.

The most important thing about the gun is that it is operated by one hand. This is because you need to hold the shield with one hand. So the gun should be a one handed operation.

How the Gun Works

You load gumballs, or some other type of projectile, into the magazine of the gun. You can stack them up. Probabably about ten shots.

Then you pull and release the firing pin. Pulling it back loads the gumball and releasing it shoots the gumball forward.

Simple enough. You just need a little bit of pvc plastic pipe, a wooden dowel and a rubber band.

Will's Tip on Cutting Foam board: Don't try to cut all the way through it in one swipe. Use a really sharp blade and make three passes. the first pass just cuts the top layer of paper. Second pass cuts the foam and the third pass cuts through the bottom layer of foam.

Let's continue and make the shield

You can watch the video tutorial here:

Elmer's Acid-Free Foam Boards, 20 x 30 Inches, 3/16-Inch Thick, Bright White, 2-Count (902015)

If you are looking for high quality, archive quality or you are looking for a backing for photographs you should use an acid free foam board It is more expensive per sheet though.

Make Deadpool's Katanas and the Holster

You can have swords, and wear them, just like Deadpool does. And for fun I also give you the template so you can make a miniature set like I made for the dragonslayer. Make Deadpool's Katana and holster

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