The Armour Archive

So, I recently bought one of the unfinished helms Matthias sold on the classified forum...

It was a roughed out Sallet that he sold me for $50. His description:

Bowl 1 was supposed to be a salet. Needs quite a bit of grind/sand/clean up on the outside, little shaping still etc. Good start. Still needs interior seams welded. measures 9-1/2" front to back, 7-1/4" side to side and about 26-1/2" around. 12 gauge HR mild. Asking $50.00 + $12.00 S+H.

I had him send it straight to Lewis Moore, who told me he would clean it up, and weld a grill to it for $75.

So, for $125 total, I have this:





Unfortunately, I didn't take into consideration the fact that the helm is a bit small for me... but I've got friends who might fit it...

I'm going to paint it black, to prevent rust, and give it that "Darth Vader" look.

Then add some padding, and a chin strap.

Nice helm. To bad about the fit. Is the fit due to width? I have seen helms "size up" by using a bottle jack on the inside of the helm. If you do this be sure to put blocks of plastic or wood between the bottle jack and the helm. You do not want the imprint of the jack top in your helm.
Instead of painting it try blackening it. You can find a rub on gun black at Wallmart or any gun store that can give a good finish without much grief. This will keep down rust especially if you coat the helm with a poly coat or varnish. After that you need merely apply wax about twice a year. If you don't like it you can always paint over that. PS your blog had me rolling the other day.
Tascius

Thanks for the info Sir Tascius.

I may actually gun blue and clear coat it now that you mention it. I hadn't thought of it before.

The problem with the helm size is my head is 25 inches in circumference at the brow, and the helm is 26 1/2.

I think it would fit a person with a 23" brow easily.

I've used the jack method before... I've also squished a helm into shape with a big-ass vice... that works too.

Was it the drunken hobbit comment that got ya?

If you paint it you can put a latin motto around the bottom lip.

I always really liked the painted Sallets.

"Was it the Hobbit comment?"
It was more of a cummulative effect. Here you are building this round shield, destroying it, building another and then preping for Ymir over a period of time. Then you draw Sir Guy in the first round. Sucks not to have corners when fighting a fighter with the angles he has. I was not there but I am betting he stepped forward and to his right while dipping his shoulder and arm towards your leg and as you swung your round shield around....
Well you would have lost sight of his sword until you noticed
A. a pain in your right hand ribs
B. his basket hilt is now in front of your right eye.
C. you've been had

As for Karl, if he had a green tunic and a Viking occular helm with a full camail, he plays round shield all the time. Play another mans game and he's bound to make you look a little off.
Tascius

Yes, well, the whole she'bang was a learning experience I will not soon forget...