Imp. Gallic Bronze helmet from Sexaginta Prista

[Doc]

Why cast a brow guard? Originals were forged. Well respected and capable Armourers make them correctly.........it's not that difficult

[Rado]

Brass is hard for hammering ,it is not as soft as bronze in antiquity for me it is just easier to do it on wax . The original of this model is very thick.I'm not available with so thick brass rail.But it is OK ! I can easily say that they are forged ,entirely. I hope nobody makes physical and chemical expertise during an reenactment event .By the way all replicas that I have seen so far from producers around the world are with cast front guards. I have bronze and brass roman helmets and from European manufacturers (no need to mention them now) their front guards are also casted I do not remember anyone to noticed this during events .Forged or cast front guards ,this can be established only after very careful view.

[Rado]

After a long delay I am again transferred over this project. The body is already wholly ready and I am prepared to complete the helmet. I will have to make some holes for the rivets and to cut ear apertures.

[Rado]

Helmet cupola is made of holistic brass sheet, without welds.

[Rado]

The Weisenau helmet from Sexaginta Prista assembled and ready for use .Оn the original collar has 2 holes of unknown function, most likely for fixing the crest,or for hanging in transport.

[Rado]

As can be seen on this model have been used much larger rivets than conventional. Rivets with large heads are characteristic of Weisenau  model .Could be observed on many other bronze helmets of this type.

[Nathan Ross]

I'm certainly no helmet expert, but it looks superb, Rado - well done!

Is there any more info on a possible dating for this one, or is it just 'generally 1st century'?

[Doc]

Is this helmet cast or raised from sheet?

I see there are many dents in the neck guard? Are you planning on removing them? Finished and properly planished helmets should not have a surface that is so unfinished. The Romans produced helmets that were finished quite well.

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In any case, what is the cost for one of these? Where can it be purchased? It is quite nice overall...to tell the truth

[Rado]

After a long delay I am again transferred over this project. The body is already wholly ready and I am prepared to complete the helmet. I will have to make some holes for the rivets and to cut ear apertures.

 When I did my research on Weisenau model helmets (in generally ) I came across a atypical find . A helmet of this model which is produced and used without being made openings for ears and mounted ear protectors. This helmet from Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Bonn, Inv. D.66.  found in Köln-Mülheim (Cologne) from the river Rhine.jho explain this helmet in the old post.
Even there is no allusion of such openings for ears and mounted ear protectors on this model from LVR-Landesmuseum Bonn.
A very basic model! Whether so basic were coming out of the workshops or master did not have time to finish it completely? Or maybe the additional as extras is extra charge consequences and installed from the owner of the helmet ,we can only guess. I just noticed that my preparation model looks like (in this primary form) this museum exhibit.

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I'm certainly no helmet expert, but it looks superb, Rado - well done!

Is there any more info on a possible dating for this one, or is it just 'generally 1st century'?

 Thank you for the kind words  Nathan! I know that my work is not perfect but I'm proud that I was the first to make a replica of this not so popular helmet. There are quite unclear about this helmet as very few publications. Here is a quote from Elka Peeva  from National History Museum Department of Archaeology
 
This legionary helmet is a precious piece of the Roman defensive military equipment and
belongs to the well-attested Weisenau helmet type14 . It is the only representative of this kind
found in Bulgaria to date. However, it finds analogue to several helmets of the same type from
Western Europe15 . Two of them are precisely dated – the Mainz helmet with the name of the
owner inscribed on the neck-guard16 and the Aquincum helmet 17 . The Weisenau helmet originates from the Celtic armour (1st century BC) and had experienced certain development before it was first recorded as such in Emperor Augustus’ time. It is well-known that the Weisenau type helmet was kept in use during the 1st century AD. The uncertain circumstances and the unknown
provenance our helmet appeared at cannot help its precise dating in any way. If it was
really found in the area of Ruse, ancient Sexaginta Prista18 , one could explain its appearance
there by several reasons19 . The belonging of the helmet to the Fifth Macedonian legion20 can help us to establish a more precise date for its use. Legio V Macedonica was stationed in Oescus throughout the first century (Ritterling 1925, 1573- 1576) except for the years 62-71 AD, when the
legion was sent to the east, where it took part inseveral campaigns21 .
The legion took part in the Dacian wars of Domitian (85-88 AD) and Trajan (101-102, 105-106 AD), and during or after the Second Dacian war of Emperor Trajan was transferred to Troesmis (modern Iglia, Romania), most probably in 107 AD22 . Since the helmet was found in Bulgaria, its use should
have as a terminus ante quem the time when legio V Macedonica left Lower Moesia for its new base in Troesmis. Therefore, we are inclined to set the period of use of this legionary helmet between 71 and 107 AD.

[Rado]

Doc ,of course that the helmet is made of sheet of brass  .These  3 Weisenau models which I do now (one from Bulgaria and two from Croatia) are prototypes for museum exhibitions and exactly those are not for sale. But I intend to propose them to some of the leading company for mass production. If we reach an agreement with them we will clear together all the details.

[Rado]

These are my 3 completed Weisenau type helmet photographed together. It can be seen many similarities but and rather differences. Of course all of this refracted through the prism of time and our attempts to get closer to the originals. Helmets are very interesting and exciting as the content of history and technology of the past.

[brennivs - tony drake]

Excellent work Rado   attention to detail and research. It is amazing to think the variations of types that fabricas made to there specs from seeing one and asked to produce. I hope your endeavours helps you to be able to have them made for the Miles out there   all the best.
Regards Brennivs

[Rado]

Thank you for your kind words Brennivs. I  realize  well that I am not perfect and that there is more to be desired in terms of
similarities .But I've done the necessary conclusions and I made changes to my patterns. If I can negotiate to give this project to a serious company for mass production together we will clean disadvantages which I have no technical ability to adjust. These three helmet are designed for museum exhibition.

[Rado]

At the first opportunity, I gave chance to my prototypes  to prove themselves in combat . The test passed well in action during the Roman Festival Apulum April 2017

[Rado]

Another collage of the event.