Kabuto

Kabuto or Samurai Helmet 

This is Kabuto is a theatrical mock-up made of lightweight plastic-like materials.

kabuto was made by combining dozens of thin iron plates around a central dome, usually iron but sometimes moulded and lacquered paper

Like medieval helmets they were often decorated with a crest, this one is themed around a rabbit.

Kabuto 1st appeared in the 10th Century

Saracen MkII

From the same batch of helms as the last post all picked up at bring and buy kit fair.

Arabic Helm

This lookalike Persian/Arabic/Saracen style helmet is made from fibreglass and has string mail around its rim, it's about cheap a lookalike as you can get before you go into toy helmets but is ok for lrp and theatre where its the impression you need not accuracy or actual protection.

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

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.

Grand Bascinet

This what I would call a Grand Bascinet or Battle Helm

This style of Helm was from around the period of 1450 so was worn from the end of the Hundred Years War with France and just before the War of Roses kicked off.

Made by the great armourer David Hewitt of  White Rose Armory in his early learning years, his stuff is full on museum quality today.

I have no picture of me in my full armour wearing this helmet, last worn in battle I believe at a re-enactment of Jack Cades rebellion in 1450 or 1990 in the real world.

The helmet is designed to fix firmly to the back and breast plate, it offers no head movement other the limited movement from space inside the helmet, I found this not my cup of tea for foot combat while you feel pretty invulnerable, you need to be constantly twisting your shoulders to see what is behind you and this effect good balance and your fighting stance,  I much prefer a beaver and sallet.

The helmet hinges apart for access as can be seen above.

Vision is not bad actually you mainly see through the vent holes.

Sallet

The medieval sallet was the helmet of choice for 15th Century medieval soldiers, some had visors, some where worn with beavers which protected the neck and chin.

Worn by me in period of about 5 or 6 years when I was part of the Buckinhams Retinue a soldier in the Duke of Stafford's household.

 My sallet was not a good example but it served a purpose, you can find much better quality elsewhere. 

I should also note I no longer own this helmet it was sold on to another keen reinactor.