The Armour Archive

Just got my new helm and it got me to wondering...What did crusaders use to keep their helms on their heads? Looking for any ideas, designs, etc. Can you please list if this is able to be used for SCA combat as well (that is what this helm is for).

What time period and what sort of helm are you wearing?

The historical answer is nothing and anything.

Meaning that often the helm just sat on the head and was not affixed with a chinstrap, other depictions show various ways of tying or strapping the helm under the chin.

For SCA use you would do well by looking around and asking local fighters how they have affixed their chinstrap. I’ve seen a dozen different ways of strapping a helm, most of them pretty effective with the difference being how easy it is to get in and out of your helm.

I’ve tried several different systems but most recently I’ve tried affixing a leather strap to one side of the helm (the left for me since I’m right handed) the strap has an oval cut in it the fits around my chin. The other end of the strap is attached to two lengths of 550 cord that exit the helm on the right side. Once the helm is on I pull the cords snug and tie a simple knot in them.

It is fast, adjustable, and has held the helm in place very securely for almost a year now.

I have fought in several different types of chinstraps for sca use, including what you have mentioned, a army surplus one, one that strapped behind the head, and a rawhide cord that tied the same way. I really dont want to use a sport chinstrap like some do (think hockey chinstraps) but looking for any other period examples besides the generic oval cup made from two pieces of (insert favorite material).

Most of the period examples I have seen are two leather cords tied underneath the chin. It's not terribly comfortable but it will keep a helm on your head.

Great helms in period were often worn over a padded arming cap, there was little or no padding inside the helm. A thick band of cloth around the brow of the arming cap held the helm in place by friction.

I have seen SCA folks do this with some sucess, (wear the padding and slip the helm on over) but t can be tricky to get the fit just tight enough to keep the helm on, but not crush your head.

But they managed to do it in period so...

Thanks for the info, this helm is going to be a semi tight sqeeze so it might be possible. I have done the rawhide strap before but that was on a greathelm that almost rested on my shoulders.