The Armour Archive

So, my Knight, Sir Lex, and I are going to make me a new Norman. The one I have now is two halves welded together to resemble a raised conical. I want to make a spangen one out of 12 or 14 gauge stainless. We have not made a Norman spangen before, but have made a few round top ones. Now now should we go about this? Should we do the two halves and put the bands on it to resemble a spangen or would it be easier to do a true spangen? In either case, how do you form the "classic" curved point on top with the bands so that the bands lie flat on the lobes? One idea we had was to use a lighter weight stainless and beat it into shape and than rivet it on the two half idea and make a pointed cap to put on top. I would rather not have a cap, but rather the bands come together as one on top to the point.

Any hoe, any pointers? Pics would also be awesome.

Cris

Check out Hal's pattern- seems to be exactly what you're interested in.

Can't find that pattern in the pattern page. Do ya know where it may be?

Cris

The forming of the top has always been a problem, and there have been several possible solutions suggested. Hal's site is excellent, but it's for a round-top, so doesn't address the issue.

My own spangenhelm construction page here has two possibilities - my own preference is for a small conical cap at the top. If well done it can look very good, and it has quite a bit of historical precedent.

The other way is to make a single "fore and aft" strip which you shape into a point at the top, and add two separate side strips which come together under the main strip.

To answer your other question, I think you'd be better off doing a four-part helmet. The plates are easier to dish, for a start, and secondly you'll know you did it the right way, rather than faking it.

The pattern is under Norman Spangenhelm, but's it's by the S's for spangen- at least, that's the only logic I see in the placement.