02-02-2012, 08:39 AM
They likely used crest pretty frequently as depicted and mentioned in literature. The lack of physical evidence is not surprising given that the materials used to make them is highly degradable.
Numerous helmets in fact either show attachment points or holes where they had been affixed. For those that show no physical trace of those it is largely due to having mounted the crests with most usually pitch. Pitch is a natural resin adhesive and leaves no physical trace of itself after the patina separates the pitch remains from the helmet's surface. There are 2 helmets that show differential patina where the pitch resin had remained long enough to cause a visible line of coloration on the helmets.
Nails, string and pitch seem to have been the common methods of attachment.
Numerous helmets in fact either show attachment points or holes where they had been affixed. For those that show no physical trace of those it is largely due to having mounted the crests with most usually pitch. Pitch is a natural resin adhesive and leaves no physical trace of itself after the patina separates the pitch remains from the helmet's surface. There are 2 helmets that show differential patina where the pitch resin had remained long enough to cause a visible line of coloration on the helmets.
Nails, string and pitch seem to have been the common methods of attachment.
