Gallic helmet

[LUCIUS ALFENUS AVITIANUS]

Hello,

Can any of the people more familiarized with the imperial gallic clasification tell me what type my helmet is? Any correction could be made for more autenticity?

I have buy it to another reenactor, who have buy it to an english armourer, so i don't know exactly what model is used for reference.



(Here is worn by my comiles Tibisius)

[Peroni]

From the shape and form of the eyebrows, it looks like a Gallic 'G' to me Cesar.

The correction I would make would be the angle and size of the neck guard.

Also replace the tie rings with brass hooks at the front and back.

It also has three riveted bands holdin the neck guard edging on.

Have a look at the Gallic G in the database here..
http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/component/ ... Itemid,96/

[LUCIUS ALFENUS AVITIANUS]

Thanks, Peroni.

Apart from eyebrows, any diference more with an standar Gallic H?

[Peroni]

Gallic H is generally thought to have tie-rings in place of the hooks.
Also the neck guard is very steep on the H. It has no carrying handle.

The rosettes are positioned slightly differently, and it also has a deeper bowl than the G.

http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/component/ ... Itemid,96/

Compare the neck guards on the new Deepeeka helmets..
http://www.reenactorreplicas.com/helmet ... elmets.htm

[MARCvSVIBIvSMAvRINvS]

you didnt buy this from a Dutch re-enactor perhaps?

M.VIB.M.

[LUCIUS ALFENUS AVITIANUS]

No. I have "rescued" it from a spanish reenactor. When i have bought it, for near 200 euros, it was brown by the oxid.

It was hand made by Steve Hamblin (Uk). At the skull are visible, if you put your eye very near, the pattern of the hammering.

[MARCvSVIBIvSMAvRINvS]

Okay!

well it sure is a very nice helmet!

M.VIB.M.

[Crispvs]

"Also the neck guard is very steep on the H. It has no carrying handle."

I thought that the Augsberg I.G. 'H' was missing the central section of its neck guard, so how do we know it never had a handle?
I know comparable parts were found at the Colchester Sheepen site were without evidence of carrying handles but for me these pieces simply serve to show that even within 'types' there was considferable variety. Be careful of being too prescriptive of the Imperial Gallic 'G' and 'H'. Just think of the Imperial Gallic 'I' and you will know what I mean.

Crispvs

[Peroni]

I thought that the Augsberg I.G. 'H' was missing the central section of its neck guard, so how do we know it never had a handle?

No Paul, If you look at the images in the database of the Augsburg helmet, it has more than enough remaining of the neck guard to show that it has no carrying handle.

http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/component/ ... Itemid,96/

[Crispvs]

Thanks frater Peronis,

I was working from an obviously imperfect memory of the photos in Robinson without actually consulting the book (thanks to the urgent need for a new book case and all the problems associated with that).

Still, I still stand by what I said about being too prescriptive about variation within helmet types.

Crispvs

[Tarbicus]

Still, I still stand by what I said about being too prescriptive about variation within helmet types.

I doubt too many would disagree with that, but where do you draw the line, or, when is a Gallic H not a Gallic G with a smattering of F? There needs to be a new classification system, but that will likely never happen without widespread academic support, and that ain't likely too soon.

[Crispvs]

Personally I like the sort of classification system proposed by JMC Toynbee a few years ago. I would not be comfortable with exactly the catagories he proposed (we know so much more about helmets these days) but I think that that type of system has much more flexibility to it.

Anyone not familiar with Toynbee's attempt to create a system of classification for Roman helmets should take a look at the Journal of Roman Studies No. 29 (1939). If I recall correctly (it's some years since I read it) the article was entitled something like 'A decorated Roman helmet and other items from Worthing'. The article also contains a much fuller description of the cavalry type 'H' helmet from Worthing (also these days classified as a 'Guisborough' type) than Robinson gives.

Crispvs