THE HEART SHIELD BIBLE Fits Snugly in Uniform Pocket. The Engraved Gold-Finished Steel Front Cover Protects His Heart.Here is an evocative piece of World War II history. This is the Heart Shield Bible - meant to keep a soldier's heart safe from enemy bullets during combat. The text of the book consists of the New Testament and was published in 1943. It is bound in worn black leather that shows separation (1/2 inch) at the top and bottom part of the binding. The book's cover is made of heavy steel plate that has a gold wash finish. It is engraved: May this keep you safe from harm The piece measures 4-7/8 in in length and is 3 in wide. The bible looks to have had actual use as exhibited by the wear to the leather and the scratches & loss to the gold washed cover. The majority of the gold on the edges of all the pages remains. While all pages are present one has come loose from the binding. There is a small hole on the title page only (see photos). It is marked on the back, inside cover with the name, Ruth Lancaster. A moving and very personal memento from the Second World War.