Crusader Great Helm -for Buhurt

Description of the Product

Made of thicker 2,5 mm steel to withstand the rigours of ultimate full contact combat. Made for buhurt, historical medieval battle (HMB), heavy combat and other Battle of the Nations -style full contact combat sports.

The earliest forms of the great helms from the 12th century onwards had by the 13th century proved to be a winning design: the flat tops of the late 12th century helms combined with the reintroduction of the facemask were fairly simple to manufacture and gave excellent protection. During the early 13th century those facial protections were extended, so that eventually the extra plates covered the back of the neck, eventually reaching the shoulders and thus enveloping the entire head. The great helm was commonly worn over a mail coif and the larger models sometimes even over a skull cap, which gave its wearer a level of protection that had previously been unimaginable. Of course the downside of added protection was that the visibility and ease of breathing were substantially worse than with the open helmets of old. The solid surface was punctured only by the breaths and narrow eye slits.

As this was a time of fervent crusading, many of these helms had as an extra protection (both physical and spiritual) a cross-shaped reinforcement on the face. This design can be found for example in a helmet in the German historical museum in Berlin, on an statue in the church of Santa Maria la Real in Olite, as well as in the illustrated manuscripts of the Codex Manesse, the Maziejowsky bible and the Cantigas de Santa Maria. Despite its legendary aesthetics and symbolism, the great crusader helm was not used on the battlefield for very long, as by 1350 it was slowly replaced by the bascinet. The great helm did stay in use, however, in the ever more popular sport of the joust where maximum protection was highly regarded.

Original can be found from the German historical museum in Berlin. Made of 2.5 mm carbon steel. Steel thickness may vary due to the handcrafted methods used on its manufacturing. The helmet doesn't come with pre-installed inner padding. The proper height for wearer is adjusted by adding padding. Leather chin strap included. For it's size the helmet is made to be used on it's own without a cervelliere (under helmet).

• This helmet dates back to the 13th and early 14th centuries, the era of the Crusades
• Original can be found from the German historical museum in Berlin
• The helmet doesn't come with pre-installed inner padding
• Leather chin strap included
• Height: 28 cm
• Circumference at the bottom: 71 cm
• Standard circumference: 63-64 cm
• Weight: n. 4.8 kg
• Material: 2.5 mm steel
• Manufacturer: Marshal Historical