Am looking for a reasonably priced and as historically accurate Spangenhelm as is affordable for display purposes. I've been looking at these two, and was wondering if anyone has had one, or what your thoughts are. I'm not all that knowledgeable about helms, so I'm unclear of the implications of various steel thicknesses etc. I'd prefer to buy in Europe, and these are the two I am considering:

http://www.battlemerchant.com/Helmets/Battle-...:2190.html

and

http://www.battlemerchant.com/Helmets/Battle-...:2339.html

I appreciate any and all feedback,
Mark

I bought this one yesterday and I'm very satisfied with it. Its well made and if you remove the inlet, you can also wear it with a
Chain Mail Coif. If you want, I can post some pictures too.
here's the link: http://www.mytholon.com/product_info.php?prod...5c94a6cbf4

I have one of these:

http://www.battlemerchant.com/Helmets/Battle-...:2339.html

Historical accuracy on a scale of 1-10, maybe a 3. It is thick and heavy so it works for situations where you might be exposed to accidental hits to the head, such as show fights. (Note that one should be careful with any activities that involves hits to the head, and helmet is only one part of the protection system you will need to do that in a controlled safe way) It is a bit top heavy, wich is quite unavoidable with this design, and that might impair your movement a bit unless the fit and straps are well adjusted.

It looks ok from a distance, I had to redo the strapwork and ripped out the inside lining and replaced it with one of my own design. This is not necessary if you wear it with a padded coif or such.

For the price it is OK, but in hindsight I would rather have saved up some more and gone for a raised helm instead. Now that I have one that works and I have spent some time in customizing it is oh so much harder to motivate the expense of getting a slightly better one.

Thanks for that, i think I'll give it a miss then. I want something that looks period accurate, I'm not concerned about functionality as I won't be wearing or using it.
What are the other options for Spangenhelms in the EU?

Mark

do you know "die-Ritterschmiede" ?

http://die-ritterschmiede.de/

L.

Once again thanks for the comments.

Plenty of food for thought there Jean, thankyou, I'm giving some of those options serious consideration.

Has anyone tried any of the helms from die ritterschmeide? If so what did you think. There are a couple of models I quite like

If ordering from sweden is possible, Handelsgillet has a few normand types.

http://handelsgillet.se/vapen_rustning.htm

"Spang" is an old norse word for "small plate", so strictly speaking pointed helmets without crosbands are not spanghelms, despite the similar shape...

I hadn't thought about the height issue, but even the fact that the sides are quite vertical means that a perpendicular blow straight into the side will direct all the force in that direction, if the sides were curved upward to a domed top, then some of this force would be deflected up. I see what you mean about the later great helms becoming curved again, but I've always felt it seemed to be a counter intuitive leap to go from curved to straight, and then back to curved again later on!

Anyway just to keep things on topic, if anyone has any info on the die ritterschmeide norman helm (or any of their helms), I'd be interested to hear it!

I have the Spangenhelm Stahl-Messing Nr 0177. It is a good, well made helmet and I am happy with it. I was put off a little bit by Mr. Kallus. He liked to joke in e-mails and did not sound very serious or professional, but he delivered the helm with no delays and I cannot complain. I would buy from him again.

This doesn't exactly answer the original question, but I really like my 16 gauge Spangenhelm with Gjermundbu style spectacles and mail aventail from Valentine Armory (Not sure if they still make these - maybe just custom). But lately I have been lusting after the ones at Mercenary Tailer - that's good stuff.

Early great helms developed from mass produced, "coronet" style helmets, posibly during the crusades, and where wore in conjunction with mail coifs. The design was not optimal, but it was cheap, and effective enough to stay in use for a century.
What WAS added, however, is improved protection to the side of the head.

On some of the depictions of helmed vikings, they have two piece, or even raised helmets, though this is probably in the later period.
http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fil:Ledbergsstenen_20041231.jpg

I think I might have to cast the net a little wider here! Aside from the Mercenary's Tailor, what other reputable makers are there producing historically accurate pieces? USA makers are fine also. I'd prefer ones that don't have massive waiting periods!

Thanks,
Mark

Not a "spangenhelm" but nice. http://www.arms-n-armor.com/armor022.html

This might make a passable display piece considering your often opposing criteria of affordability and accuracy.
http://www.kultofathena.com/product~item~3004...Helmet.htm

Hi Mark

Try a look at Tim Noyes of Heron Armoury http://heronarmoury.co.uk/index.php?page=helmets

cheers
Dave

Tim Noyes's helms seem good, a lot of the boys in regia use them although his swords are a tad on the heavy side.