Dhal with repair

[blue lander]

I just won this shield at auction, and I didn't notice until just now that there appears to be a repair on the dhal in the middle of the bottom of the shield. It looks like a pair of metal braces were riveted over a tear in the material. Is this a "traditional" way to repair a shield like this or do you think it was something done at a later point?

I'd also love to know more about the age/origin of this dhal if it's determinable from these pictures.