Extra vervelle hole

[Ernst]

Augusto brought this up on the Facebook XIV century European Armour page, but I thought I'd bring it up here, since I don't feel like we've got a good answer. A number of bascinets show extra holes above the normal two rows for lining stitches and vervelles. The one down at the bottom seems likely to have been used for a chin strap. What's the extra one at the top end of the vervelle line do?

Whazzitfor.jpg (73.86 KiB) Viewed 3 times

[Signo]

I think the indicated hole, could have been used to hold a suspension system made of leather. There are few other bascinets that retain signs of a two crossed straps that go from brow to neck. Considering how much hollow there should be into a properly fitted bascinet, it make sense to have something to avoid the bascinet being driven down on the head.

[Galileo]

There's a corresponding one due south of the visor hinge - same spacing above the 2 rows of "normal" holes also.

Other than that, I have no idea.

[Mac]

I think the indicated hole, could have been used to hold a suspension system made of leather. There are few other bascinets that retain signs of a two crossed straps that go from brow to neck. Considering how much hollow there should be into a properly fitted bascinet, it make sense to have something to avoid the bascinet being driven down on the head.

That has always been my best idea as well.

I have seen crossed straps on 16th C helmets, but I can't think of any on extant bascinets. Have you got any pics of the one (ones) you are thinking of?


Mac

[Signo]

Hum, not on my fingertip, but on this very forum the feature has been discussed and (if I'm not wrong) some pictures of bascinet with holes in the appropriate places have shown up... can't remenber a keyword to make a forum serch..

[Jason Grimes]

I'm thinking that they are for those aventail strap protectors. Looking at the visor, it looks like it has protuberances so that the protectors can fit underneath. Like this one here:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/23 ... 71cf61.jpg

[Ernst]

There are no corresponding holes on the back of this example. If it held a leather suspension strap, why would it be riveted to the front, and sewn to the back? I dont think it's for the wedges above the aventail, as there are so few holes. I have wondered if it isn't to keep the end knot of the cord tight, in some way. I've always had trouble keeping the cord tight while tying the second end into a knot.

[Gerhard von Liebau]

Assuming the series of holes all the way around the edge of the helmet are for the liner, what if this second line is for attaching the aventail, and the two triangular sections of holes are meant to pass around something, such as rivets in the liner suspension that fasten the chin straps? That way the thread would not fray on the metal rivet or pass over the bulk of the strap, etc...

-Gerhard