combed morion -- myArmoury.com

M Hermes · Posted: Sun 05 Aug, 2012 2:22 pm Post subject: combed morion

Hi, i was wondering what the weight is of a original morion. I held one in my hands a few days ago but it was rather light, probably 1,5 kilo. I always thought that they where much heavier?!

Thanks

M Hermes · Posted: Fri 10 Aug, 2012 10:26 am Post subject: Original?

This is the morion i was talking about, is there someone wo can tell me if it's original or not?
Photobucket image

Sean Flynt · Posted: Fri 10 Aug, 2012 11:17 am Post subject:

That's not an unreasonable weight, especially considering that it lacks lining and straps. There doesn't appear to be any evidence of such, so I would guess that this is a 19th c. decorative piece.

This one is 1.72 kg: http://wallacelive.wallacecollection.org/eMus...detailView

This one is 2.2 kg: http://wallacelive.wallacecollection.org/eMus...detailView

Even this one, with laminated straps, is only 2.12 kg: http://wallacelive.wallacecollection.org/eMus...detailView

E.B. Erickson · Industry Professional

As Sean said, the weight isn't at all too light, especially for a helmet like yours.

I think that you've got a real antique there, and it's a later, munitions-grade morion, made in two pieces. Date would probably be in the first quarter of the 1600s, but could be as early as the very late 1500s. I've got one in my collection that's fairly similar to yours, and while I don't have it in hand to weigh, it's not a very heavy helmet at all.

--ElJay

Sean Flynt · Posted: Mon 13 Aug, 2012 7:16 am Post subject:

Eljay: I read somewhere (always dangerous) that some later munition morions and cabassets were unlined and simply worn over something like an arming cap. Do you know if that's true? It seems strange, especially when they're going to the trouble of adding rivets anyway.

M Hermes · Posted: Mon 13 Aug, 2012 7:38 am Post subject: morion

The morion is not in my possession, but i know that the owner is willing to sell.
Interesting story about the morion without lining. Never heard of it but it sounds plausible.