Hi All,

A while ago a customer asked me if I would quote on a helm, after pointing out I didn't make helms, he asked me to do the job anyway and so this project was born and I am very happy to have been involved.

The brief was to base the helm on the Gjermundbu one, but to hypothesise about the missing parts and make the overall effect 'dark', not low end, but not flashy, well made and business like. There also needed to be a stylised bronze boar as a crest.

As I said at the beginning I don't make helmets and this did not seem to be the one to start on, so I aksed Kevin from Plessis Armouries to make the pot and the liner and he also interpreted the rusty remains of the original to work out plate configurations etc as I am used to congealed knives not armour. Some of the joggled joints matched better than I could file them, so I know I had found the right man.

The helm has a padded linen liner, copper rivets and copper wire inlay, bronze hinges, a deep blue/black finish, riveted maille skirt and an oxidised bronze boar. All in all I think the effect is menacing and business like with enough detail to get noticed, but not too much as to overshadow the piece.

Thanks to Jason for laying down the design parameters and Kevin for the structure and rather tricky blueing and I hope you like the piece.

Tod

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I really like that boar crest. Very nice effect and the oxidized bronze is a good looking material. Maybe this has started a new avenue of interest in armour for you!

"WOL!!!" (Wow out loud)

WoW what great work ,I love it congrats

There have been many interpretations of this helmet - I have one myself that's pretty good. But I think this is the best one I've seen. just like you said - functional, menacing, and distinctive without getting flashy. Lucky person who ordered this!

LT: for a guy who doesn't make helmets, you and your friends sure rocked this one. I'd like to see what happens when you 'get good at it'!

Thanks very much for the comments.

I enjoyed working on this one, but I certainly won't let helmets become a habit.

J D Crawford wrote

Quote:

LT: for a guy who doesn't make helmets, you and your friends sure rocked this one. I'd like to see what happens when you 'get good at it'!

Thanks very much. This was my first serious involvement with helmets other than changing linings etc but I did principally keep to the applied decoration and Kevin did the forming and he certainly knows what he is doing.

Clearly it is time to roll up my shirtsleeves and make a Sutton Hoo!. actually no. Saying that though I would quite like a go at the Benty Grange helmet.

Tod