I have seen a few helmets with catches to hold the face plate down yet on historical pieces I have never seen them. I am after a bascinet helmet and don't really want one with the catch to hold down the face guard, but how would I/how did they keep the face guard secure without a catch? or did they all have them in the hinged helmets?
As a rule bascinets visors were not locked closed in any fasion. Gravity would keep the visor closed adequately until such time as it was desireale to raise or remove it.