Recently I purchased this nasal helm from Get Dressed For Battle, a new company based in the UK. I received it some time ago but have been too busy with other projects to mention it. I thought I'd post a few pics.
[ Linked Image ]
[ Linked Image ]
[ Linked Image ]
[ Linked Image ]
Based upon the famous Olmutz helm.
The helm is fashioned from 16 gauge steel. Two halves have been cleanly welded together to simulate a one-piece helm. The nasal guard has had a piece of 3mm steel welded to it's backside for reinforcement. The leather suspension appears to be glued into the helmet instead of sewn or riveted. I don't know how durable this would be for serious use, but it should work well enough for light living history work.
I had made arrangements to purchase this helm through GDFBs US distributor. The vendor dropped the ball so I had requested a refund from GDFB. The company's owner kindly offered to send me the helm free of shipping charges, so in the end I wound up paying $77.00 USD for this helm. It's superior to other Indian made helms of this type so I consider it money well spent. Not a custom piece by any stretch of the imagination but good enough for now.
Last edited by Patrick Kelly on Sat 16 Apr, 2005 10:35 am; edited 2 times in total
I see a blank canvas begging for "paint".
My $.02.
Solid deal on the helm, in any case :cool:
My $.02.
Solid deal on the helm, in any case :cool:
| Jonathon Janusz wrote: |
| I see a blank canvas begging for "paint".
My $.02. Solid deal on the helm, in any case :cool: |
As do I. ;)
I really like that helmet - and the price.
| Alina Boyden wrote: |
| I really like that helmet - and the price. |
I have to compliment Get Dressed For Battle on this one. I think it's really quite nice at this price point. This type of helm seems to be one that most makers in this lower price level can't seem to get right. Most of them are far too large or cone shaped, or just plain totally wrong in their line and proportion. GDFB did a nice job in that respect.
About the only thing I'd rather see is the lining sewn and/or riveted to the helm. As I said though, it's really glued in there. That wouldn't be terribly hard to remedy.
One thing I did do is spend a few minutes scrubbing it with some grey scotchbrite and oil. It had that uber glossy polish that the Indians insist in putting on everything.
| Patrick Kelly wrote: |
| ... I wound up paying $77.00 USD for this helm.... |
:surprised: Patrick, this price seems, well, trivial. Is this a typo? Or am I really reading seventy-seven-and-00/100 dollars? As in, less than eighty dollars?
Looks like a pretty nice piece, Patrick.
I'm kinda diggin' the Spangenhelm #1, myself! A few bucks more, but I'm guessing it's still in the area of $100.
Also, a 14 gauge pigface for £79.20?! That's under serious consideration.
I'm kinda diggin' the Spangenhelm #1, myself! A few bucks more, but I'm guessing it's still in the area of $100.
Also, a 14 gauge pigface for £79.20?! That's under serious consideration.
| Steve Grisetti wrote: | ||
:surprised: Patrick, this price seems, well, trivial. Is this a typo? Or am I really reading seventy-seven-and-00/100 dollars? As in, less than eighty dollars? |
Yes, that's correct. The invoice showed shipping to be $25.00. So normally you'd be looking at $102.00 USD, still not bad.
Mr. Kelly, do you know if GDFB makes their helmets in various sizes, or is it just one size, and then hope it will fit??
| Thomas Hoogendam wrote: |
| Mr. Kelly, do you know if GDFB makes their helmets in various sizes, or is it just one size, and then hope it will fit?? |
When I communicated with the company's owner he had two sizes available at the time, so there are different one's available but how many I don't know.
Last edited by Patrick Kelly on Sat 16 Apr, 2005 10:54 am; edited 1 time in total
| Patrick Kelly wrote: |
| ...It had that uber glossy polish that the Indians insist in putting on everything. |
I looked around the site a little, and didn't happen to see anything about their fabrication sourcing. Does the site actually say that somewhere, or did they tell you India? If so, one wonders if anyone stateside sources directly from the same fabricator, and perhaps one could save some shipping cost by ordering from the US source?
| Steve Grisetti wrote: |
|
I looked around the site a little, and didn't happen to see anything about their fabrication sourcing. Does the site actually say that somewhere, or did they tell you India? If so, one wonders if anyone stateside sources directly from the same fabricator, and perhaps one could save some shipping cost by ordering from the US source? |
Apparently they've set up their own shops with Indian workers under their employ, so they are the fabricators.
| Steve Grisetti wrote: |
| Does the site actually say that somewhere, or did they tell you India? If so, one wonders if anyone stateside sources directly from the same fabricator, and perhaps one could save some shipping cost by ordering from the US source? |
Quote from their site:
- "Martin now does all the patterns to Mikes research and runs regular "Armour Workshops" in our factory in Delhi."
I'd wondered about other distributers outside of the UK, but was unable to find any info on the site.
Also, Steve... I sent you a PM.
Wow! They sell two copies of the Italo-Norman Phyrgian style helmet. I loved that thing when I saw it in my Osprey books.
| Quote: |
| Wow! They sell two copies of the Italo-Norman Phyrgian style helmet. I loved that thing when I saw it in my Osprey books. |
Yeah, I sent them an email inquring about two of their spangenhelms and this same piece that Patrick got. I'd really like one small enough to wear on it's own over my 22.5" 'round head, but I'm doubtful of it... I would have inquired further about information on the Italo-Norman phyrgian helmet, had it not been a bit more money than I'm willing to spend on a helmet right now! I think I can spare $100, but otherwise, I have to worry about finishing up my SCA kit..!
Very nice helmet at a very reasonable price, once again, Patrick! Might I suggest riveting the liner yourself, over the glue? I can't imagine it would be too hard, if you have any experience riveting.
Cheers!
-Gregory-
| Gregory Liebau wrote: |
| Might I suggest riveting the liner yourself, over the glue? I can't imagine it would be too hard, if you have any experience riveting. |
Yes I could do that and it wouldn't be particularly hard. If the helm was going to see any kind of hard use I probably would, but since it won't the current set-up is sufficient.
| Patrick Kelly wrote: | ||
When I communicated with the company's owner he had two sizes available at the time, so there are different one's available but how many I don't know. |
Thank you mr. Kelly, I might have to look into this some time soon.
Patrick,
As much as I'd like to get something a bit different from your own helmet to show off, the pictures of the Olmutz style has captivated me! Stephen at GDFB has already replied to my inquiry, and said that he'd be able to have a size "small" made which should be just about right for my 22.5" head. I asked about the various spangenhelms as well, and it was the same deal. I'm debating whether to go with the spangenhelm style 3, or the Olmutz...
Here's the spangenhelm-
[ Linked Image ]
I'll probably make up my mind in the next hour or so, and then confirm the order with Stephen. If I had the extra cash to spare, I'd actually end up getting their Italo-Norman helmet, or even the great helm in their 1300-1500 section, if it was at least 14 gauge.
But, one of these two will be more appropriate for my early portrayal!
-Gregory-
As much as I'd like to get something a bit different from your own helmet to show off, the pictures of the Olmutz style has captivated me! Stephen at GDFB has already replied to my inquiry, and said that he'd be able to have a size "small" made which should be just about right for my 22.5" head. I asked about the various spangenhelms as well, and it was the same deal. I'm debating whether to go with the spangenhelm style 3, or the Olmutz...
Here's the spangenhelm-
[ Linked Image ]
I'll probably make up my mind in the next hour or so, and then confirm the order with Stephen. If I had the extra cash to spare, I'd actually end up getting their Italo-Norman helmet, or even the great helm in their 1300-1500 section, if it was at least 14 gauge.
But, one of these two will be more appropriate for my early portrayal!
-Gregory-
| Thomas Hoogendam wrote: |
| Thank you mr. Kelly, I might have to look into this some time soon. |
You're quite welcome Thomas!
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