The Armour Archive

Is there a practical reason for the vertical seam on some pot/barrel/great helms, other than the strength from the overlapped metal, to be located on the side of the helm rather than in the back?

------------------
Been there; Done that; Made the hauberk.

Armadillo Highway/Knitting Steel

Well, If I understand the question right, the reason is very practical.

Seam on the sides of a great helm= 5 piece construction. Less time shaping the metal, less time in forming a large sheet of steel/iron.
Seam in the back= 3 piece construction. More time shaping the steel, more time in creating large sheet of steel. A lot harder to accomplish, a lot more expensive. A lot better looking (IMHO).

These are just my thoughts, and they are pretty much worth what you paid for!

~Kevin