The Armour Archive

Hi folks,

Dafydd MacNab here. I picked up a back point bascinet at War from Anshelm and am in the process of padding it. I was interested in finding some pics of folks wearing their bascinets so that I could see the orientation of the helm on their heads.

Some of the folks I see, the back of their helm is nearly vertical. While others seem to have a rearward tilt to them.

Any pro's or con's regarding this? I wasn't sure if it was was intentional or if it just ended up that way. (ya never know, it could be that extra little thing to eek out all the glancing surface you can get.)

Feed back would be appreciated.
Thanks,

Dafydd MacNab

See my baby here: http://nickfriend.fatcow.com/klappvisier/index.html

I think it rides fairly straight on the back of my head, per the action photo towards the end of the sequence. I believe this is the correct posture. Some styles of bascinet have a fairly vertical back wall, like a barbuta; others taper in more towards the base of the skull, like a sallet. Whatever the style, it should sit fairly straight up and down on your head; I don't believe the helmet should have to tilt forward much at all (like shading your eyes with a hat) if it fits correctly.

Generally, the bottom edge ought to curve up slightly at the back towards the base of the skull; many modern repros have a straight horizontal back edge like a pot helm. This is one reason that may account for wearing it with forward tilt: so the metal doesn't collide with the back of your neck when you look up. Other reasons may be that there isn't enough padding space between the front crown and one's forehead (usually results from an oversized face opening and a too-tapered crown), or there's a bar from the visor riding directly in front of one's eyes.

My first helmet was an Illusion bascinet that had all three of the above problems. I ended up doing a double layer of padding- a ring and an X of foam (like a football helmet) cemented to the inside that stayed where the helmet was, plus a cotton-covered foam arming cap that stayed where my head was. This let me rotate the helmet around to a comfortable position on my head without moving the padding away from the parts that needed it.

Klaus

I thank you.

Your web site was very helpful and informative.

When I get done I will have to post pics of my helm.

Take care,

Dafydd MacNab

I have not forgotten your challenge, Squire.

Greetings Sir Knight!

I was hoping to see you at Pennsic.

How have you been?

How is the new kit coming along?

Please give my regards to your lady.

Dafydd

Here's an Anshelm bascinet on my noggin:

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v87/finkas/GamboisedAventail.jpg[/img]

That looks sweet, i like the livery patch as well, nice touch

Thanks, Adam. Regrettably the helm and gamboised aventail is no longer mine. I sold it and am moving on. Nowadays when I wear that kit it is with the wonderful kettle helm you made for me. I may get around to making a gamboised aventail for it at some point, to represent wearing a maille-stuffed coif being worn under a kettle.

I may be posting the gamboised aventail pattern soon...

Cheers,
Tim

I've got an Anshelm bacinet as well. Here are some shots of the helm and
aventaille with the liner:

http://www.black-valentine.com/Steve/helmet1.jpg
http://www.black-valentine.com/Steve/helmet2.jpg
http://www.black-valentine.com/Steve/helmet3.jpg
http://www.black-valentine.com/Steve/bodyshot1.jpg
http://www.black-valentine.com/Steve/bodyshot2.jpg
http://www.black-valentine.com/Steve/bodyshot3.jpg

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Klaus the Red wrote:See my baby here: http://nickfriend.fatcow.com/klappvisier/index.html

Dear Gosh... I think I'm in love with your bascinet.....

-Justin

She's taken.

Dafydd, I really don't know what direction to go as far as new harness goes. I do need a change. Badly. I also have numerous injuries that are not improving.
My biggest problem is my armourer. He owes my squire a gigantic commission that is proving problematic and difficult, and I really don't feel like I can move on with new stuff until my squire is taken care of first. I am short, thick and I carry alot of muscle for a man my size. I need proper fit, and to get it I need access to the artisan.
Also, I am married now and I feel wierd spending large amounts of money of this stuff now. All these situations are causing me to consider retiring completely.
But I think I'll get a cortesone shot, save my pennies and return unexpectedly one day. By that day perhaps you will be a knight and we can meet as brothers to accomplish our Deed.
-With respect
Vitus Von Atzinger, Knight

Here I am in mine:
[img]http://talbotsfineaccessories.com/P3050019%20copy.JPG[/img]
Here is a link ot a larger version
http://talbotsfineaccessories.com/P3050019.JPG

I tilted my head forward to show the point and the angle.

Sir Vitus,

Please contact me regarding your armour issues, I may be able to help.

Here's a 2'fer.
Sterbyorn & I at Pennsic, for the woods battle.

[img]http://globaleffects.com/Temp/helmets2368.jpg[/img]

Servus!

klaus - great step-by-step with your helm, I will be referring to it often when I put my helm together. Did you use a pre-made pattern for the liner?

Sir Gaston, a fine suit of armor! Maybe I'll be that thin again and can create such a set for myself.

Nope, I worked out the pattern myself- and it took 3 attempts before I got it the way I liked it. I traced the outside area of the helmet onto paper, which translated into the right circumference for the inside once it was stuffed.

Here are some Bascinets that I made for some customers

This one is my favorite
<IMG SRC="http://www.creationtime.com/germanclap001.GIF">

This one went to the son of Aaron, who used some older stock and his helm he got for christmas. he did all the leather work him self. I think he did a great job. The gauntlets are still his dads though.
<IMG SRC="http://www.creationtime.com/arrons_son01.GIF">

Kidail's helm that I built for him as he wanted it.
<IMG SRC="http://www.creationtime.com/pigk05.GIF">

I just wanted to thank everyone who has come forward and shared with me their pictures (and knowledge).

I am still torn between a period helmet liner and foam. (Mainly because I wonder if the channeled and stuffed liner would mildew from the sweat in between the layers.)

Once I have mine set up I will upload some pics.

Thanks again,

Dafydd

Here's mine (Made by GK Armoury)
[img]http://home.armourarchive.org/members/thaddeus/keene/KEENE9~1.jpg[/img]
It's original finish but without the perioid liner
[img]http://home.armourarchive.org/members/thaddeus/Klap2.gif[/img]
Front view of same
[img]http://home.armourarchive.org/members/thaddeus/Klap1.jpg[/img]