Arabian Barbute

Now I'm not sure this helmet as a real historical equivalent at all, although did find a few images of turbans wrapped around helmets.

Its open faced barbute in style, made from plastic with a plastic ring around the crown to give a turban style Arabic look and then painted.

The helm was found within a batch of theatre kit, unlabelled or marked so who knows what it was used for.

Now its part of larp kit.

Czapka

This helmet called a Czapka is in style used typically by 19th C Royal Russian, German and the Polish Uhlan Cavalry Regiments.

Made of pressed leather.

The Czapka origins lie in the very late 18th Century when a square-topped (4 pointed) Shako was used by Austrians infantry. 

Czapka is Belorussian words translate to English simply as a cap.

The helmet in the shape shown here was adapted by various cavalry regiments after the Napoleonic wars, mainly those of Poland, Russian, Prussia, Germany and Austria. Although the British and French did have a version for some of their cavalry regiments without the square top.

The helmet continued to be used by Cavalry regiments right up to first few weeks of world war one, before becoming a helm just used for parade grounds only.

This is a theatrical quality copy, not reenactment copy.

Shako

This leather shako is part of our crew kit

I have no idea if its a reproduction of genuine helmet or just something made for the theatre.

It's solidly made with a steel badge so could be a re-enactment helm, but the elastic headband and overall finish make me believe it is from a theatre production, where close up inspection does not occur.

2 years ago above

below is today after losing 5 stone

Crash Helmet

Crash helmets or motorcycle helmets are designed to protect the users from head injury.

Wearing a helmet when riding a motorbike is mandatory in the UK and they have to be designed to comply with safety and build standards.

Since the introduction of helmets, they have reduced head injury by nearly 70% and death by over 40% they have even believed to have reduced spinal damage.

Helmets can vary in design from open face pudding basin shape to full all round enclosed helmet with a visor like this one. 

This helmet also includes vents and a drop down internal sun visor.

I don't own or ride a motor bike I purchased these helmets for part of a set of sci-fi space suits costumes as below.

Interesting fact (maybe) wearing a white helmet reduces your chance of road accident by 25% compared to a black helmet, is that because those with white helmets are the more sensible road user or because they can be seen easier?

Ballistic Helmet

Whilst this helmet was sourced from a army surplus store its not really a military helmet as far as I known, its some for reproduction tactical helmet probably used for airsoft or paintball or similar

Its does offer some protection though its not marked as being to any particular standard

Get On Your Bike

Cycling laws in the UK do not currently require you to wear a safety helmet and as I'm not a cyclist I don't feel its my place to comment on if this is a good or bad thing, the law that is, wearing a helmet just makes sense even if it provides a small percent of protection its just got to be worth it.

I have not really cycled since my school years, however a friend took up cycling and needing to get fit I decided it might be idea to give it a go so I bought a cheap bike and helmet and then quickly decided the roads a scary dangerous place for anyone on a bike.

I suggest all car drivers try it and they will give more room in the future when passing cyclists

The cycling helmet is basically a low speed shock absorber for your brain, they are not designed for high speed impacts to protect against object hitting them like some safety helmets. 

Evidence says cycling helmets have reduced head injuries somewhere between 18%  to 50% 

Those against helmets point to helmet strangulation from the straps and the fact helmeted riders take greater risks or look more competent to other road users so give them less space. These are all claims without evidence as far as I can see.

Made usually of expanded polystyrene or dense foam and then coated in plastic,straps and a liner are then added.

Crusader Helm

This is Templar style helmet from the 3rd to 5th Crusades of around 1200 AD, flat topped with tapered sides, chain mail coif and nose guard but normally seen with a full face plate. 

Made by White Rose Armouries as bespoke piece, based on image in a Osprey Man at Arms series book, I think it was the Knights of Outremer, but no longer have the book to confirm that.

The image above is from Bolsover Castle and the one below from Warwick from the early 90's, during a period I did medieval style entertainment shows for the public, which skirted the edge of medieval authenticity.

I did have long hair and big beard back then.

I still have this helmet.

I even have a cartoon image created for me wearing the helment

Mind Machine

This is the Cognizance Interception Contrivance.

Made as a prop from bits of a Cyberman mask, vacuum cleaner, cutlery drainers, door knobs, bird feeders and lots of other odds and ends

The device is designed to intercept telepathic communication between demons, however it gives you a bit of headache.

Professor Arlington Periwinkle-Smythe is shown here demonstrating its use

Powered lightning combustion tubes the unfortunate a lack of demons with telepathy resulted in no evidence of devices competency,

It does blow dry wet hair as a extra feature.

Time For Tea

Drinking earl grey tea from a fine bone china cup in the middle of war with the Zulu's then you need this hat.

This white Pith Helmet was used by the British Foreign Service and the British Army in the Zulu Wars. A replica of the helmet worn by the British 24th Regiment of Foot during the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879.

Made famous in the film 'Zulu' depicting the Battle of Rorke's Drift where 150 soldiers fought off 4000 Zulu's.

Taller than other Pith Helmets its the origin of the British Police helmet

A Capital hat is it not

Historic Past

This helmet is one I no longer own, a visored bascinet made back in the early days of when I took part 15th Century medieval re-enactment.

These photos were taken in June 1987

This helmet was excellent to fight in, providing good protection and freedom of head movement, some of that down to the fact it was not a accurate reproduction. 

the quality and historical accuracy of this helmet would not get past most re-inactment groups standards today.