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Since genetics decided that I was to have this square shaped head inherited from my Germanic ancestors I had to make my own helmet. Nothing I have tried from off the shelf vendors would fit properly.
First thing I done was to order a bowl blank from Rudiskunstwerk in Germany.
First Class folks to deal with!!!
With the help of Mark from Clang Armoury we cut the bowl from the blank, and fashioned a brow guard from the surrounding bronze. Creating the brow guard was probably the hardest part. Fitting it to the bowl was much harder than I anticipated. The cheek plates were fashioned after a pattern provided by Peroni from 16 gauge bronze. I believe these are copied from the Schaan helmet in the Landesmuseum in Zurich. I decided to go with the stud chinstrap fastener as per the original.
The feather tubes were created from brass tubing purchased at the local hobby shop. I admit these were an addition that’s not on the original, but I prefer this style over the X shaped ones commonly seen. As you can see in the photo there is a dent in the rear of the helmet. This occurred when I dropped it in the shop on the anvil horn. I think I will leave it gives it some character that others don’t have. .
Overall I am very pleased with the final result. It still needs to have the slot cut in the spike, and its final polish.
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p309 ... 020335.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p309 ... 020336.jpg
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gay
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Chuck Russell
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Looks good Paul. I had seen these blanks described as "bronze" on the website - so they really are bronze and not brass? They look pretty good value for money if that is the case.
I agree about the dent too - some nasty Barbarian snuck up and hit you from behind eh?
Sulla Felix
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Nice work Paul.
I've been wondering about this for a while: can you choose the dimensions of a bowl you buy from 'Rudiskunstwerk'?
Vale,
Jef Pinceel
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Looks excellent, Paul :wink: ! Can you show us a pic of you wearing it? The satin finish looks great compared to a ususal mirror-like polishing ..
Virilis / Jyrki Halme
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Quote:Looks really nice Paul. Thanks Adrian I wanted to read your review above all others this morning
Looks to be quite a heavy gauge sheet too. Unfortunately its 3mm thick!
I have to ask two things on the neck guard. :? ... Sorry if this sounds hyper-critical.. Dont worry I am not easily offended.
1. Why the incised groove? There is a line on the skirt of the Schaan helmet that I liked.
2. Going by the form of the crest knob, the cheek guard shape and (double tie-ring and stud) fastening method it looks to be a Coolus D/E .
Coolus C to E types have rounded neck guards. Not angular.
I still have the option here to trim it to a more rounded shape. I wanted to see how it looked with this skirt shape first.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b242/ ... coolus.jpg
One thing that I am having a hard time figuring is how the extrmnal cheekstud works with the ring on the skirt of the helmet.
Thanks for all the compliment guys.
Sulla yes it is bronze it gets hard very quick when working it. The only brass on this helmet is the brass feather tubes, and the cheekplate stud.
"...quemadmodum gladius neminem occidit, occidentis telum est."
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It looks like there is no cut out for the ear?? So, does the cheekpiece cover the ear? I need a helmet and have been tinkering, but obviously I need firther research.
I did buy a cheapo repo from a local surplus store for my wife, she uses it (wears it) when she teaches Julius Caesar at school. Nothing like seeing my bride walking down the hall at her school barking orders at High Schoolers......the crest on the helmet is about as tall as the students!!
Thanks!
Titvs Calidivs Agricola
Wes Olson
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Extremely well done! Laudes Awarded!
By the way, forget the a anvil story... just tell everyone you were hit in the back of the helmet with an arrow in battle! Just dont' say you were you struck by your own archers. :wink:
BTW: Personally, I like the more squared off angle of the neck guard but with an angle grinder and some relief cuts you can easily curve the angled part of the neck protector, if you so desired
Vale!
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Paul,
What type of bronze is it. You mentioned that the bowl and cheekguards are bronze. Usually from what I know bronze tends to be reddish in certain respects. The bronze for your helmet is yellow.
I want to use this type of yellow bronze for making some hinges. If you cant tell me the code that this bronze belongs two I would appreciate it.
Thanks
Paolo
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Paolo
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Paolo,
Every bit of bronze I have worked with has a golden color when polished, but will soon take on a reddish hue after it sits for awhile. To be honest I dont know the exact make up of the bronze. But it did turn a deep reddish color when I was heating it.
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Adrian,
Do you have any pics with your Montefortino helmet on? I didn't know the chin strap went through 2 rings on the neck guard.
Thanks,
Johnny
Johnny Shumate
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