In modern reproduction helms and armor, many examples have rivets that are purely for decoration. Most rivets are functional, and hold the pieces together, as in historical times. These rivets in reproductions, especially in helms, are very flat and almost perfectly round on the inside. How is this done? Is this a special kind of rivet? Is there a certain tool used to install them? There's not much room inside a helm to swing a hammer! :wtf: These may be dumb questions, but I am just curious to know. If there IS a special tool or procedure for these rivets---What is it? Or would I have to just go to India and see for myself? :wtf: :lol: :lol: ...Thanks....McM

They probably use a stand or workbench mounted rivet press with a wide point of entry and deep recess to allow something with the dimensions of a helm or breast plate to be passed between the elements - just like your hand-held rivet tools, but on steroids.

Something like this, I'd guess, either powered or hand cranked, like a drill press would be: http://www.ustool.com/riveting-tools/bench-top-compression.html

Thank you, Victor! :D That would explain a whooole lot! I was unaware that such a tool existed, though I had thought of something very similar. I guess they really DO make a tool for just about everything! :lol: Thanks again! :) .....McM

Now my wheels are turnin'.......Bet I could make one out of a big c-clamp and some steel/wood bench mounts! ;) :D :p ....McM

Reason for my asking in the first place....I just got introduced to a local fella with a HUGE metal-fab shop who is also interested in arms and armor. He basically told me---"If YOU can design it, WE can build it." SOOO.....I may just start building my own armor and helmets. Yeee-ah, baby! :D ......McM

Without a special tool, you can put the side of rivet that already has a head at the side inside the helmet and you strike at the end sticking out. But it's a pain in the a** to support the head of the rivet inside a helmet with something.

Thanks, Luka. :) That's kind of the situation I'm trying to work around, and hopefully avoid altogether. ;) .....McM

There is a tool called a "rivet sett/set". It's a metal rod with a usually semi-spherical depression in the end...once the rivet has been placed in the holes in the metal and cut to length, the "sett" is placed over the cut end and hammered down. This will dome out the soft metal of the rivet and draw the two pieces of metal together