Best Legionary Helmet for 43AD or Mid Century

[Antoninus05]

Hi All......I've put together a pretty decent kit, centered around the fantastic lorica segmentata Matt Lukes made for me back in 2006. Right now I have a Repro Aquincum Helmet, and that dates to the latter part of 1st C AD, what would you suggest as an authentic reproduction helmet that would cover from 9AD to mid century(around 60ad)for a common Roman legionary and where would you suggest getting it from, Thanks in advance, Mike

[Magnus]

Hey Mike, if you are in N. America, Rusty at Soul of the Warrior is probably your best bet, imo.

Any of the gallic helms, from A-I would be fine, later style Coolus, and Itallic C models.

http://legvi.tripod.com/armamentarium/id114.html

[Matthew Amt]

What he said. (I'm not following you around, Magnus. Really.) I don't think the Acquincum is really too late for earlier first century, but it's a debatable point. Coolus C and E were probably the most common types overall. And you can swap out their cheekpieces if you like cuz the bowls are basically identical and very few were actually found with cheekpieces in place. Deepeeka's versions are fine, and they make a nice Coolus D as well. Hard to beat Daniyal's tinned bronze Gallic A, though, yummy!

Matthew

[Magnus]

Matt, I think we should officially form a federation of Matts...there is enough of us around lol.

[Antoninus05]

Sounds like the two Matt's are telling me to stick with the Aquincum. Matthew, I don't know if you remember this, but when I was putting this all together back in 2004,I was working on the Dale Earnhardt movie "3" in Charlotte, NC and you and I exchanged emails and had the project not gotten so hectic, I was coming your way to an event, but never made it. I continued working on my kit, joined Legio VIIII HISP when I got home and completed my full kit about the time the Legion here went south here in 2006.
Then in the fall of 2006 I went to Budapest, Hungary as Costume Designer of the CIA miniseries "The Company" and was able to visit the Roman city of Aquincum(where my ID picture was taken)....there is irony or fate, visiting the place my helmet pattern was found at.
Recently, I decided I was either going to use the kit or sell it, thankfully, I found some active Romans here in Texas, will be doing a training weekend with them on the 19th Feb and then on to LAFE.
For a number of reasons, I really want to wear the Aquincum(one being, never used it yet), but I did npt want to be wrong at the event with improper gear.
So if the two Matts say it is OK, that is good enough for me. And Matthew, thanks for your past help, your website is still a constant source of knowledge for me, and thanks for weighing in on all this.
Many thanks to both of you, I do plan to get an earlier helm, but based on this thread and the advice, I'll use the Aquincum and enjoy the event, THANKS! Mike

[Magnus]

See you at Lafe Mike! I'll look for the Aquincum helmet lol

[texascavtrooper]

Hey Mike,
I know you talk with Dan about the 13th. Im Bryan Fitch. Did Dan give you my number? If not I'll send you a PM with it.