The Armour Archive

I have recently been fortunate and have gotten 2 new helms, on the same day to boot. I ordered this helm from Sir Brand during the Xmas special, and it arrived last week. About a 12 week build time, which is pretty much what he quoted me. I have to say his communication and business practice were excellent. I feel fortunate to have gotten an order in before his recent change to an stock only format. This is the second helm that I have had built specifically for my head , and I have to say it is also the best fit. Close all around with enough room for a good amount of padding. I was measured for the other helm on site, it arrived late ( 6 months late, or so) and it was WAY too big.
Impressions
The helm is light !! I hve not weighed it myself, but the listed shipping weight was 8.5 lbs. It has enough mass to take a blow, without being a tank. The fit and finish of all parts is excellent. The closing cheek design brings the helm close to my lower face and gives the helm a better profile. The hinges are not curved to follow the lines of the helm, and that does throw the interior lines off a bit. It does not affect the exterior look or fit. The hinges are also massive and I cannot imagine what would cause these to fail. The helm has a spartan, working feel to it. It is an excellent helm for SCA combat. I will be adding a mail drape to the back plate for looks.
Pictured with Shamrock Armory/ Ian Hagenah Dark Age helm for reference.

More..... Feel free to post comments .....

Mmmm nice. I want one....oh wait, I have one..hehehe

S SCorpus, which one do you have? Does it have closing cheeks?

Sir Brand's work is always top notch. I am hoping my stuff on order with him will be finished soon.

I have a locking jaw/cheek helm from him also. I bought it right off the archive.

I just got an email saying my sallet shipped today.

My hat is off to him. He is completing his work at a very quick clip, considering the load he has on his shoulders at the moment.

Yojimbo wrote:S SCorpus, which one do you have? Does it have closing cheeks?

I should have been more precise. I have the hinged cheek plate Roman version here....

fantastic helm, his work is always so clean

Scorpus,
You have great taste in armour! That is the same helm I 've been eyeballing for a while now. Super spif design. Could you take some pics of the inside of the helm? I'm interested in the hinges and inside views of the cheek plates and integral bar grill.

Thanks!

Thats a couple of great looking helms. nice collection you've got there. ill have to get me a helm of my own soon. haha

Garreth wrote:Scorpus,
You have great taste in armour! That is the same helm I 've been eyeballing for a while now. Super spif design. Could you take some pics of the inside of the helm? I'm interested in the hinges and inside views of the cheek plates and integral bar grill.

Thanks!

My helm is getting dipped in hot tin, so I havent got it back yet. When it comes back I will get some pics for you, ok?

Ian, you should make one for yourself !! If you are half as pleased as I am , you won't be let down !!

Here is my own tribute to Sir Brand's work. I too plan to add an aventail to the back but will need to wait until probably Christmas for any more significant armour purchases.

(after edit) YOU KNOW YOU NEED IT IAN!!

Scorpus,
Did you get your helm back from the platers?

Garreth wrote:Scorpus,
Did you get your helm back from the platers?

I got a call from them on Friday but wasn't here, so they called back on Saturday and said my helm was done and I could come and pick it up. I said well that's nice but your about 4 hours away from me how about shipping it back like we agreed on...which he laughed and said sure no problem... They will ship it out Monday or Tuesday he said.

Funny thing is they had to call in the original owner of the business to do this helm, because he had 43 + years of experience and they didn't quite know how to do it. He did my last one in 91 or 92 and as of 2007 he sold his plating business to this new owner, but occasionally does special projects for them...thats where my helm came in.... Hopefully I will have it by the 21st time frame and then I will post some pics.

Scorpus,
If you get a chance, could you take those pics i asked about, please?

Garreth wrote:Scorpus,
If you get a chance, could you take those pics i asked about, please?

Garreth,
If your referring to the interior pics, I took them awhile back and posted them here....

http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/ ... hlight=tin

Let me know if those aren't the ones your talking about.

Yes, those were what I was looking for. Thanks!

Garreth wrote:Yes, those were what I was looking for. Thanks!

Your welcome...what are you gonna do with them?

Well, i'm gonna try to build one myself. I already started patterning, and the pics will definetly help. It's a killer design. I love the modern sport fighting take on a classic helms vibe that Brand has going on.

Cool, keep us posted on your progress, ok?

Will do! BTW, Did you get those greaves to work for you?

Batman!

Garreth wrote:Will do! BTW, Did you get those greaves to work for you?

They are a bit on the small'ish side...I am hoping I can lose a little weight or I can open 'em up a bit. I am gonna try them out a bit at Honey War this weekend maybe..we'll see. If I can't get them to work you still interested?

I might be. They are sweet looking, but the knee cop is too small to be legal on it's own, I believe.

Garreth wrote:I might be. They are sweet looking, but the knee cop is too small to be legal on it's own, I believe.

Your correct. I wear normal SCA legal legs over them....we'll see.

Scorpus, check your P.M.'s please.

Garreth wrote:Scorpus, check your P.M.'s please.

PM answered with pics...actually just pic... Might I suggest we keep this in PM's from now on so as not to clutter up the "classified" area. Just a thought. Thanks.