Hello

I have found several sellers that sell what´s called a "Frogface Bascinet". I have never seen that type of helmet before. Anyone that knows were they where used and when?

Agreed. Do a search on the term "hounskull" on this forum and you'll find many photographs and illustrations of the type.

You can also check this out: http://www.myArmoury.com/feature_spot_bascinet.html

It´s not a houndskull or a pigface or a clappvisir, its called a frogface.
I Have never seen ite before, and now it has popped up several times on the net.

I have a link here but it´s to a Swedish site so I´ll give you a quick guide.

http://medlem.spray.se/riddarsmide/

Click on "Hjälmar" then it´s helmet nr 106

I have always hear "frog-faced" used in connection with jousting helmets. A style of jousting great helms have an occularium that looks sort of like a frog's mouth.

I think you could be referring to a Frogmouth Great Bascinet.

There is an example in Churburg and a similar example in the Metropolitan, but it's never been published.

I made one in collaboration with Per Jensen a few years back, which I have jousted in for almost two years now. We believe it is a plausible recreation of a helmet that could of existed, though it is not a copy of any single particular original.

http://www.historicenterprises.com/cart.php?m...&c=150

What we did was combine the skull shape of the Frederick the Victorious great bascinet with the front throat & neck plates and visor of the Churburg helmet. The result is pretty cool I think. And it's great to joust in too! :D

(edited to add the following picture of jousting in my helmet)

[ Linked Image ]

Here are more pictures.

http://medlem.spray.se/riddarsmide/Img1/Helmet9_4.JPG

http://medlem.spray.se/riddarsmide/Img1/Helmet9_5.JPG

http://medlem.spray.se/riddarsmide/Img1/Helmet9_6.JPG

http://medlem.spray.se/riddarsmide/Img1/Helmet9_7.JPG

I think it's a reference to this type of helmet:

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(Picture scanned from "The Complete Encyclopedia of Arms and Weapons", edited by Leonid Tarassuk and Claude Blair.)

Anders,

Is that helmet based on a surviving historical example? I'm aware of a strongly peaked Barbuta with a pseudo frogmouth type side pivoted visor (in Paris), but what you've presented seems more of a c 1370 helmet bowl with what looks like a rather inappropriate visor stuck on. Based on the skull's shape, I would expect it to be more appropriately fitted with a klappvisier similar to the example in Zürich. Is the visor just an invention of the modern armourer?

If it is indeed based on a survival, I'd be very interested to know which piece, if you'd care to share that with us?

I agree with Jeffrey that it's probably a combination of things which may not go together.

Here are two more pics of the Churburg great bascinet.

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I´m trying to find out if it´s based on any surviving helmets or any painting or statue. I havén´t found any helmet that looks like it. I´m starting to think it´s from the imagination of the smith. He states that it´s from ca 1370 thou.

There are similar dipiction of bascinets with interesting visors from pre1350. The Hastings Effigy for one and then the Taymouth hours has a few as well. I think the ones these seem to illustrate are closer fit to the face but might be worth a short look on the British Library onlines Manuscripts. I love this picture!

RPM

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Cool pictures, yes. But that visor doesn't look even a little bit "frog mouthed".

Looks like a typical lifting visor sugarloaf greathelm.

So what do you guys say. Is it a reproduction of a actual helmet or is it a fantasy? I thinkt it looks great and was thinking of buying one, if it´s (Somewhat) historical accurate.

I would say that if it looks like the Churburg frog-faced great bascinet then it's reasonably accurate.

Then I will get my hands on one. I will tell you what I think of it when I have tried it.

Anders,

The way I interpret the visors on the early bascinets is that the top that overlaps the skull would remain closer to it instead of protruding out as that reproduction does. If you really wanted it though I'd see if it might have a less abrupt transition to the visor and the bascinet skull. The profile looks good to my eyes except for that. Looks like a step to me for some reason.

RPM

I have some serious doubts as to the Czech helmets shown in the gallery. Most of them seem to have wrong proportions - quite a few look like helmets I've seen in museums or reproduced by Per Lillelund Jensen, just not so nice and proportioned. I do take into account a fewq absolute genuine uglies I've seen as well. These photos include the 'grille' bascinet, a great favourite of SCA events, rattan whacing, for the use of.

As to the helmet under discussion I think we still do not know enough about and haven't seen enough of originals, for many reasons. Not that many examples survived in general. Myself, I'dstick to some 'certain' design first, then go for things risky.

Cheers
Mick