Fast-Draw (Buckler)
 

Would a Fast-Draw (Buckler) be a realistic skill or not?

Re: Fast-Draw (Buckler)
 

I'm pretty sure that I've seen bucklers worn on belts in period art (though I'm blanking on specific examples), so I'd say that it plausibly is.

Re: Fast-Draw (Buckler)
 

I have no real expertise, but it feels really cinematic to me. It would mean you can draw the buckler and shield bash with it with your opponents not getting a chance to attack or disengage you while you draw it. I can't imagine a holster and grip that would really make it that fast.
Also of note is the fact that such an option isn't discussed in Basic nor in Martial Arts, so the authors probably didn't consider it realistic, either.

Re: Fast-Draw (Buckler)
 

Alternatively, it just hadn't occurred to them. One way to do it would be to have a buckler made with a gamma or 'L' shaped handle, where you hold the long side and the end of the short side is attached to the buckler. This does lead to a single point of failure, but it allows the buckler to be hooked onto the belt, and then drawn and ready in a hurry if needed. Another way to to have a hook on your belt, and use a normal buckler. Either way, Fast Draw would be plausible.

Re: Fast-Draw (Buckler)
 

This is from the book 'Daily Life in Chaucer's England'

'Small round shields called bucklers had a single handle in the center behind a protruding iron boss or spike. One surviving example has a hook in front allowing it to be hung from a belt with the grip outwards, ready for a 'quick-draw'.

Now, I'm not sure if the 'quick-draw' is one ready maneuver or a GURPS Fast-Draw skill.

Re: Fast-Draw (Buckler)
 

Given some bucklers were largely civilian kit designed to be carried along some kind of blade when you are out and about in case of trouble (or to start trouble). Yeah I think quick draw is fine. Especially is you going ti allow quick draw for the sword it accompanies.

It going to come down to how it's carried, but since hooked on a belt was a thing then yep definitely

Re: Fast-Draw (Buckler)
 

As a GM, my answer for new fast draw specialty is always "it depends." If the player can demonstrate someone with training & special equipment being able to quickly prepare the said item, I'm more inclined allow a specialty for that, under similar circumstances.

I can definitely see being able to fast draw a buckler from a hook on a belt, so yeah. When on the hook, it's likely to be noisy, though.

"your buckler is banging against your leg armor, take -2 to your stealth" ;)

Re: Fast-Draw (Buckler)
 

...And thus we have the term Swashbuckler.

The original swashbucklers were followers of George Silver, and wore their swords and bucklers at their belts when going about town. Their rivals labelled them swashbucklers from the noise their bucklers made swinging against their sword-hilts, like pebbles swashing around in the waves on a beach.

Re: Fast-Draw (Buckler)
 

Even if you can fast-draw a weapon as free action w/o ready wouldn't you still need to spend a ready to ready the weapon? Or am I forgetting a quick-ready skill somewhere?

Re: Fast-Draw (Buckler)
 

The write-up for Fast-Draw (Basic Set p194) says 'A successful roll means you ready the weapon instantly. This does not count as a combat maneuver; you can use the weapon to attack on the same turn.'

Presumably, this means that a Fast-Drawn buckler can be used to defend on the same turn.