Norman Phrygian Helmet Project -- myArmoury.com

Jeff A. Arbogast · Posted: Wed 06 Jul, 2011 3:06 pm Post subject: Norman Phrygian Helmet Project

Hello all,
I recently commissioned a job with Greg at Thorkil Armour Replicas for a proper helmet to go with my kit. I sent him a picture of it (shown below, some of you have probably seen it before) and told him that my Great Helm is nice, but next to useless if all you want to do is walk around without tripping over everything that crosses your path. I wanted something that would go well with my kit, give better visibility, and still be ultra-cool. I thought the natural choice would be a Norman nasal helm of some sort. Greg recommended a Phrygian style Norman helm for my kit, and, based on his work, I took a deep breath, gathered my funds and agreed. He drew me a basic picture of his idea before he started. That is shown below as well. It will be hand-raised, darkened, with a steel cross on the brow, a brass headband running around it and a brass nasal. There will be some darkened period engraving on the brass as well that I leave to him. Finally, a long mail aventail running around sides and back with alternating rows of riveted and solid rings, with a couple rows of brass rings along the bottom. And a lining and chin strap, natch.
Anyway, he agreed to send some progress pics as the work went on. I thought some of you may be interested as well. This whole process fascinates me, especially the shaping of the steel. I asked him if it was okay to show them, and although I haven't heard back from him yet, I don't think he will mind.
So here is the first batch, and they may not be in exact order, and I also won't be much help as to what you are looking at, but I thought it would be interesting to see them at least.

Jeff A. Arbogast · Posted: Thu 07 Jul, 2011 6:36 am Post subject:

And another batch Greg and Graciana sent me...

Jeff A. Arbogast · Posted: Mon 18 Jul, 2011 3:05 pm Post subject:

Here is another batch of pictures Greg and Graciana of THORKIL ARMOUR REPRODUCTIONS sent me. It's starting to take a recognizable shape. Note the tilted peak that distinguishes the Phrygian style Norman Helm from the standard Norman helm.

Jeff A. Arbogast · Posted: Mon 18 Jul, 2011 3:08 pm Post subject:

And two final ones...

Jean-Carle Hudon · Posted: Mon 18 Jul, 2011 8:14 pm Post subject: great pics.

Jeff,
great pictures, fascinating to see how one sheet of metal gradually morphs into a complex curved form. Thorkil, well, kills it !
Looking forward to see the finished product. JC

Jeff A. Arbogast · Posted: Tue 19 Jul, 2011 3:15 pm Post subject: Re: great pics.

Jeff A. Arbogast · Posted: Tue 26 Jul, 2011 1:57 pm Post subject: Norman Phrygian Helmet Project

Here is another batch of pictures Greg and Graciana sent me asking if I liked how the helmet looked before they proceeded with decoration. I was more than pleased. It is clearly recognizable now. I especially like the ridge down front and back that fades away as it moves towards the bottom. The nosepiece is still a bit rough but will be refined as things move along. Thorkil is actually moving quite fast I think. A lot faster than I expected. But what do I know? I'm just a spectator watching a pro at work. I have to admit I never thought much about the Phrygian style Norman helm until Greg suggested it, but I like it more and more as it takes shape. (Note the sketch of the helm in the background)

Jeff A. Arbogast · Posted: Tue 26 Jul, 2011 2:22 pm Post subject: Norman Phrygian Helmet Project

And one last one that wouldn't fit...

Viktor Abrahamson · Posted: Tue 26 Jul, 2011 4:08 pm Post subject:

Amazing to see the whole helmet grow before your eyes like that.
And in one piece, even the noseguard!
Thank you for posting.

/Viktor

Johan Gemvik · Posted: Tue 26 Jul, 2011 4:33 pm Post subject:

A perfect one-piece helmet. Very well done!

Randall Moffett · Posted: Tue 26 Jul, 2011 6:02 pm Post subject:

Very nice. Greg certainly is good. It looks like every new piece is better than the last. I do like the front tilted apex. Nice helmet. It is not done all that often so a neat item to own.

RPM

Matt Corbin · Posted: Tue 26 Jul, 2011 6:15 pm Post subject:

Very cool!!

Peter O Zwart · Posted: Tue 26 Jul, 2011 6:24 pm Post subject:

I really like this thread! beautiful looking helmet your getting there. and its really cool watching it all getting formed.

Jeff A. Arbogast · Posted: Wed 27 Jul, 2011 2:02 pm Post subject:

I am glad so many find this process as fascinating as I do. Stay tuned. Greg and Graciana have been very diligent about sending these pictures regularly. I know it's a bit tedious to scroll through all the old pictures to get to the new ones, but I wanted a single start-to-finish thread to follow along on, since there's not much narrative.

Ben Sweet · Posted: Wed 27 Jul, 2011 11:49 pm Post subject:

Thats just awesome to see the transformation!

Stuart Thompson · Posted: Fri 29 Jul, 2011 11:54 am Post subject:

Fantastic! thank you for posting. This is going to help me on a similar project. Excellent outcome too!

Michal Plezia · Industry Professional

Another great Thorkil's work Happy

Jeff A. Arbogast · Posted: Sat 15 Oct, 2011 9:35 am Post subject: An engraving sample

Well, there's been a bit of a dirth of pictures to add to this post for a while, but I finally got one from Graciana (Greg's wife) last week. It's a sample Greg came up with to use on my helm and they asked how I liked it. Graciana said Greg wanted to do something a little different with this helm and that if I liked the floral motif that they would be symmetrical to each other. I liked it just fine and told them to proceed. I think Greg's having a bit of fun with this job. I let him pretty much do his thing with a little feedback now and then going back and forth. Graciana said that they also had some pics of the mail aventail under construction that she will send after she gets them resized. I'll add them once they arrive.

Jeff A. Arbogast · Posted: Thu 20 Oct, 2011 5:25 pm Post subject: A flood of pictures

Hi everyone,
I got a bunch more pictures of my helm from Greg's wife Graciana today. Here's the first batch. I'll post the rest tomorrow. Apparently the helm is done or very near completion. I should get another batch (possibly the final one) next week.
Anyway, these show the art work going into the engraving. You can see the design marked on the pieces by Greg before he went to work. All this was done by hand, as Graciana mentioned. I stand in awe of this guy. The engraving is even more elaborate than the sample sent earlier. I couldn't be happier with how it's turning out. I love the graceful curve of the Phrygian style Norman helm too. The next pictures are even better than these. The trim, etc. is just sort of held on with screws while everything is fitted and worked before final assembly, which is why there are screws showing. Naturally, they'll be replaced with rivets. You can see the old manuscript with the picture of the knight that Greg was using as a guide for this helm in the background.

Gregory J. Liebau · Posted: Thu 20 Oct, 2011 7:36 pm Post subject:

Greg posted this on his Facebook page today!