Spangenhelm
A spangenhelm with nasal and cheek flaps.The Spangenhelm was
a popular European war helmet design of the Early Middle Ages.
The name is of German origin. Spangen refers to the metal
strips that form the framework for the helmet and could be
translated as clips, and -helm simply means helmet. The strips
connect three to six steel or bronze plates. The frame takes
a conical design that curves with the shape of the head and
culminates in a point. The front of the helmet may include
a nose protector (a nasal). Older spangenhelms often include
cheek flaps made from metal or leather. Spangenhelms may incorporate
chain mail as neck protection. Some spangenhelms include eye
protection in a shape that resembles modern eyeglass frames.
Other spangenhelms include a full face mask.
 The
spangenhelm originated in northern Iran (Persia) during the
Sassanid Empire. It arrived in Europe in the 3rd century by
way of what is now southern Russia and Ukraine. By the 6th
century it was the most common helmet design in Europe and
in popular use throughout the Middle East. It remained in
use at least as late as the 9th century.
The
spangenhelm was an effective protection that was relatively
easy to produce. Weakness of the design were its partial head
protection and its jointed construction. It was replaced by
the casque.
Spangenhelm
with Nasal
This
helm was made at the same time as the spangenhelm above. I
used the same methods and materials, but changed a number
of dimensions. The biggest difference is of course the nasal.
This protects the front of the face without obstructing vision.
This helm would also have been used into the 13th century.
They are commonly associated with the Normans.
Early
great helm
This style of helm shows up around 1200 and continues to be
used until the 1250's when it is replaced fairly quickly with
the next helm (see below). This helm leaves the back quarter
of the head open to attack. Some of them have a flat face,
but I like the dished version. My helm is made from all 16
gauge hot rolled (scale removed in vinegar) and perforated
steel. The perforated steel started out a step smaller than
the maximum allowed for SCA rapier combat. After it was dished,
the deepest area stretched out conveniently to the maximum.
The hood is attached for rapier fighting. What I want to do
is play with the SCA sidesword experiment and recreations
of 13th century fighting like I33. It will also get used for
stage combat and maybe some live steel sparring. The liner
is linen stuffed with cotton scraps.
1250
era helm
It
is based off of depictions in the Maciejowski Bible. It is
made from a combination of 12 and 14 gauge hot rolled steel.
It has a camail attached to it.
Kettle
Helm
The
skull was raised from a single piece and then the brim was
riveted on. The skull started at around 10ga thickness, just
under 1/8". This style of helm was in the 13th and early
14th centuries
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