switch (item.sub_type)
        {
        case ARM_BUCKLER:
            base_shield = 3;   // +3/20 per skill level    max 7
            break;
        case ARM_SHIELD:
            base_shield = 5;   // +5/20 per skill level    max 11
            break;
        case ARM_LARGE_SHIELD:
            base_shield = 7;   // +7/20 per skill level    max 16
            break;
        }

        base_shield = property(item, PARM_AC);

        int shld_c = property(*shld, PARM_AC);

        int shld_c = property(*shld, PARM_AC) + shld->plus;