Windlass Viking Helmet -- myArmoury.com

William Hurst · Posted: Tue 19 Jul, 2005 12:14 am Post subject: Windlass Viking Helmet

Has anyone heard anything about Windlass's Viking Helmet? It looks really good aesthetically, but before I pick one up I was wondering how good the quality of it is. Or if anyone has opinions on the quality of Windlass's other helmets.

Russ Thomas · Industry Professional

William,

I have only ever handled one helmet made by Windlass Steelcrafts personally, a burgonet, and that was quite nice , especially for the price ! That said it was made from very thin steel as are most of their products as far as I can gather. (18 swg. =1. 2 mm approx.). 18swg is not thick enough for anything other than decoration.
The other thing , if it is the ' Viking helmet ' shown on this page... http://www.windlass.com/helmets.htm , then it is not really very viking , given the current level of knowledge on viking helmets ! True it is a 'spectacle helm' as many modern scholars call it, but the ear guards and neck guard are more reminiscent of the Vendal period than the viking period. Though I personally think that possibly the Gjermundby helmet ( the only definate true viking helmet found to date ), may have had earguards originally. The spangen construction used on the windlass product, also differs markedly form the original.

Regards as ever,

Russ

Elling Polden · Posted: Tue 19 Jul, 2005 4:21 am Post subject:

According to Ospreys "scandinavian armies", and quite a lot of illustrations, the cheek and neck guards remain a Norwegian specialty at least until the 12th century...
Some of the Lewis chessmen have them:

Sigurd Fåvnesbane, woodcarving, 13th cent. Note the neck-guard.

[enter sarcasm mode]Now, as every renactor knows, all Viking clothing, equipment and weapons (Like Baggy pants, Lammel armours, big leather bracers...) where spontanously burned, destroyed, or thrown in a very deep fjord following the death of St. Olav in 1030, so post-1030 arms and armour (which we know pretty much what looks like.) need not reflect the previous practices at all... [End sarcasm mode]

Russ Thomas · Industry Professional

Hei Elling,

True , the Uig chess pieces,and several other sources, do show a form of neck guard and / or ear guards, but these are all on conical helmets ( so far as I am aware ? ), and not on the 'spectacle' style like the Gjermundby. The form of neck guard also appears to be very similar to the the nasal, not broad like that shown on the Windlass example. This feature is also possibly shown on the Bayeaux tapestry . The neck guard shown on the Windlass helmet is nearer in style to the late roman 'ridge' helmets, or helmets like for example the Sutton Hoo helmet.
I have to admit that have made helmets like the Windlass one in the past, complete with the earguards and neck protection, ' Cos I too think that they look really cool aesthetically ! But don't tell anybody ......... Laughing Out Loud

Regards as ever,

Russ

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Tue 19 Jul, 2005 7:48 am Post subject:

Russ is correct in his evaluation of the cheek and neck guards on that helmet. At best it's pure speculation. The Gjermundbu helmet, of which this is a very loose interpretation, is the only identifiable 'viking' helmet found thus far. The Windlass helmet does look cool though in its basic concept though. It has a bit of a pseudo migration era look to it.

If you are willing to spend more there are far better choices available for a helmet like this.
www.manningimperial.com
www.medievalrepro.com

Windlass helmets exhibit a wide range in their quality. Not long ago I photographed one of their sallets that I was very surprised by. The shape and proportion of the helmet was excellent. Quite frankly I couldn't believe it was a Windlass/MRL product. Unfortunately that particular one is no longer offered. Some time ago I purchased their 'norman' helm, which is based on the well-known Wenceslas helm. This one came out of the box, and went right back into the box for return. The shape and proportions of that particular helmet are way off. MRL has a fairly good return policy that you can take advantage of if neccesary.

Elling Polden · Posted: Wed 20 Jul, 2005 4:04 pm Post subject:

Chuck Russell · Posted: Thu 21 Jul, 2005 4:00 pm Post subject:

i have this helmet. and for the cash its not bad, but as for the historical its total crap. the spangen style construction is total wrong for the helm in which it is supposed to be representing. there should be a total mail drape instead of cheek guards and a neck guard (don't know why thats there anyways) it comes with a so so liner that should be linen padded instead of the soft leather it comes with. its 18 gauge, and at that i'm sure with any wooden or steel combat would dent it.

only reason i still have mine is cause it was a Christmas gift from my wife before i knew better. I would say save your cash, there are a great many other historical helmets out there for the same price

William Hurst · Posted: Thu 21 Jul, 2005 5:34 pm Post subject:

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful information. I think I am going to buy a helmet from Valentine Armouries when I have the spare money.

Chuck Russell · Posted: Thu 21 Jul, 2005 5:56 pm Post subject:

William Hurst · Posted: Thu 21 Jul, 2005 8:07 pm Post subject:

I will be probably going with the Simple Nasal Helm in 16 gauge. It just has a very appealing and simple look to it.

Chuck Russell · Posted: Sat 30 Jul, 2005 7:13 pm Post subject:

hmmm, if it were me, i'd save my cash on that one too Wink

Andres M. Chesini Remic · Posted: Wed 24 Dec, 2008 8:15 pm Post subject: Re: viking helmet

Nick B. · Posted: Fri 26 Dec, 2008 10:28 am Post subject: Viking Helm

I just came across another company that makes a very good 14ga copy of the Gjermundbu helm, WWW.ARMOURandCASTINGS.com. and they are in the U.S.. It's next on my list.

Allan Senefelder · Industry Professional

Nick B. · Posted: Fri 26 Dec, 2008 10:39 am Post subject: Viking Helm

Oops, made a mistake they are not in the U.S., they are in the Ukraine but the helm is only $250.

Andres M. Chesini Remic · Posted: Fri 26 Dec, 2008 10:55 am Post subject:

Nice version...
Didn't like the holes in the mask, but nice one tough...

The one of Grzegorz Kulig is still the best to me: http://www.thorkil.ovh.org/gjermundbu_eng.htm

Robert P. Wimmers · Industry Professional

If one looks at the picture of the original (thorkill site) , one could presume this helmet had a mail neckflap, judging by the still present rings ..... Any thoughts on that ??

Andres M. Chesini Remic · Posted: Tue 30 Dec, 2008 1:57 pm Post subject:

It is usual to hang an aventail on gjermundbu reproductions, but we actually don't know what those rings were holding.
It might have been mail, leather, cheekplates... who knows?

Nick B. · Posted: Sat 03 Jan, 2009 12:57 pm Post subject:

Andres,
I like Grzegorz Kulig's Gjermundbu helms too, but I hear his wait time is long and you're not going to get one for $250. As for the holes, I'm sure you can tell them you want it without the holes. If you know someone who has one of Kulig's for sale tell them to let me know.

Andres M. Chesini Remic · Posted: Sun 04 Jan, 2009 4:29 pm Post subject:

Of course Greg's helmets are far beyond the budget, but I only meant that those are the most acurate in desgin... =)
For what I know, the waiting time to buy one is about one and a half year...

The other helmet without the holes seems to be fine (14 gauge is a fair thickness in steel - 2 milimeters! - ). Besides, it includes the padding...
U$S250 is a nice price for it =)