Captain America 1941 Shield, Varient

OPERATION: SUPER SOLDIERSteve Rogers was a scrawny fine arts student, in the 1940's, before America entered World War II. Attempting to enlist in the army, he is turned away, but offered an alternative way to serve his country by being a test subject in a Top Secret defense research project. Rogers accepts and is given the formula dubbed the "Super Soldier Serum" and exposed to a controlled burst of "Vita-Rays," which activate and stabilized the chemicals in his system. The process successfully altered his physiology from its frail state to the maximum of human efficiency. Rogers is given a costume modeled after the American flag, a bulletproof shield, a personal sidearm and the codename: Captain America. After a bomb explosion toward the end of WWII where he was presumed dead he resurfaces and accepts membership in the Avengers and S. H. I. E. L. D. commanded by his old war comrade Nick Fury. This beautiful 1940's version of his full size shield is a replica as issued to Rogers is expertly hand formed steel and hand painted. Do to this there may be some minor variation between shields as there would have been in 1940, we've kept it as accurate as possible! It even has the leather carry straps on the back, bolted in place per the blueprints provided by Marvel and proper curvature to the steel. When initially drawn in the iconic comic there were multiple artists used and it's hard to know exactly when, but this variant is drawn into many of the comics with red & white vertical stripes as opposed to the red, white & blue of many original drawings. Artistic license? Either way it gives all you Cap fans a chance to own some very rare and unique comic history. Includes full size, wood display plaque which mimics an old Army crate and is hand stenciled, plus full color, numbered certificate of authenticity. Only 500 will be made so get to it soldier. Expected to begin shipping late 2009. There is a $10.00 additional shipping & handling charge with item. No Express Shipping Available.