[Jojo Zerach]

Chinstraps on pre-Rennissance and Rennissance helmets seems to be a fairly obscure subject... do you think the modern reproduction buckled-chinstraps resemble what would have been used in period?

[Sean Flynt]

This is typical for sallets.

[Kel Rekuta]

Information is difficult to find because the best solution wasn't a chin strap. It was a proper fitted or adjusted liner. Tournament helmets were sometimes laced down to the torso at various points for extra steadiness.

[Sean Flynt]

A liner is vitally important, but even very fine sallets had chin straps, so they can't be considered a second-best or low-rent solution. Rather, they would have been part of a complete suspension system that includes a properly fit helmet (first and foremost,) the lining band and the properly adjusted padded linen liner. In my limited experience researching and making an historical-style suspension system, these elements work together in subtle ways that make them dependent on each other.

[Randall Moffett]

I agree very much with Sean's comment. I have found that no matter how well it is fit the helmet does not stay in its exact place without a strap. I have tried getting the liner so tight that it was basically painful and still the helmet would move enough that it was not effective. The only helmets I figure that may not have had them are true closed helmets and those that fix to breastplates.

RPM

[Jojo Zerach]

Thanks for the photograph, interesting to see that the buckes haven't changed much.
Without a chinstrap, even a good fitted helmet is not as secure as it could be.
I've actually never worn a reproduction helmet with a liner or strap, though I notice more modern military-style helmets are prone to falling off if left un-straped, regerdless of how well it fits. (while moving about/jumping, of course.)