The Armour Archive

Hello all,

I'm not sure if this is the right area to post this, and if I'm mistaken, I apologize.

I have long been interested in the Phrygian Nasal Helm that's supposedly based off of one in the movie Kingdom of Heaven (I don't remember seeing it, but it's been a few years). It's been on the market for quite a while, but I could never bring myself to sink one-and-a-half hundred bucks into it, without seeing some sort of review. Does anybody own the below-linked helm? Is the suspension system pretty good? Is the helm itself pretty high quality, or does the nose guard look like it could be bent out of shape pretty easy? I'm also curious about how severe the curve on top is. If anybody owns this particular helm, could you post some pictures of it? Thanks.


http://medievalcollectibles.com/p-2365- ... elmet.aspx

No idea, but the concerns I would have with it are:

1) No side of head/neck protection, which makes it not legal for SCA heavy. You would need to add several metal plates at a minimum.
2) it is 18 gauge steel, which is too thin for a helm built to take blows, regardless of what kind of steel it is. You need to be looking at 14 mild/16 stainless steel at a minimum thickness. Which again makes it not SCA heavy legal.
3) Given the gauge and the pitting in the picture, it is likely mild steel. 18 gauge mild you can easily bend by hand. so yes, the nose piece would bend easily if it is hit.

It looks like a decent costume/walk around helm. But I wouldn't fight in it.

Oh! That's a good point that I forgot to bring up. I'm not planning on using this for SCA purposes. However, it could see some light sparring. It's mainly for Living History purposes.

For living history and "light sparring" using boffers/foam weapons it SHOULD be enough, but not against rattan.

I'd still recommend if possible reinforcing the nose, as 18 gauge steel does bend pretty easily unless it has been curved. Honestly you can get a fully made helm of combat grade steel (14g) for around the same price or only slightly more from one of the reputable armourers on this site which I would trust much more, and it would be made for your noggin. (The thickness of the steel isn't the cost, it is the time to hammer it out/make it). Honestly if you are ok with a little DIY and have a peening hammer and drill, you could get a helm top from Rough From the Hammer, then add a band around it and the nasal piece very easily.

RoundTop wrote:For living history and "light sparring" using boffers/foam weapons it SHOULD be enough, but not against rattan.

Honestly if you are ok with a little DIY and have a peening hammer and drill, you could get a helm top from Rough From the Hammer, then add a band around it and the nasal piece very easily.

I have been to their site, but didn't see any phrygian-style helm-halfs. It looks like they do sell pre-welded helms, which would be ideal, as I don't have a welder. Do you happen to know if they do custom halfs?

Corey Skriletz wrote:

RoundTop wrote:For living history and "light sparring" using boffers/foam weapons it SHOULD be enough, but not against rattan.

Honestly if you are ok with a little DIY and have a peening hammer and drill, you could get a helm top from Rough From the Hammer, then add a band around it and the nasal piece very easily.

I have been to their site, but didn't see any phrygian-style helm-halfs. It looks like they do sell pre-welded helms, which would be ideal, as I don't have a welder. Do you happen to know if they do custom halfs?

Could you turn a backpoint around to make it a Phrygian? Thought I saw someone did that.

Corey Skriletz wrote:
I have been to their site, but didn't see any phrygian-style helm-halfs. It looks like they do sell pre-welded helms, which would be ideal, as I don't have a welder. Do you happen to know if they do custom halfs?

He does do custom stuff. You would have to drop him an email for pricing.

I would avoid Medieval Collectables at all cost.