Crusader pot helmet, 13th century

This beautiful High Medieval helmet is a beautiful reproduction of a transitional form of the pot helmet as used by crusaders / Templars in the late 12th and early 13th century.

In contrast to its predecessor, which initially only consisted of a cylindrical, flat calotte and a mask-like face plate (and thus left the sides and the back of the head or neck completely unprotected), this transitional model covered the entire head and thus provided better protection. In this intermediate form of the crusader helmet, however, the elongated face shield still reached much lower than the side walls and the neck plate.

Over the course of the 13th century, the crusader helmet developed further and eventually became the "true" cylindrical cup helmet, as we know it from numerous illustrations and finds from the Middle Ages. This large cup helmet completely enclosed the head - equally on all sides - and enjoyed great popularity throughout Central Europe.

This replica of a Templar helmet, as worn by knights during the Crusades, is based on various historical sources, including a miniature from the Westminster Psalter (ca. 1200-1250, British Library, Royal MS 2 A XXII, f. 220). The helmet is made of 1.6 mm (16 gauge) steel and decorated with a brass cross and crown. The individual parts of the knight's helmet are all connected by steel rivets. The eye slits are each approx. 8 cm long, 0.7 to 1.8 cm wide and the ten large vertical cut-outs on the lower half provide the necessary air circulation.

The inside is blackened and has a riveted, adjustable leather inlay. The brown, 2 mm thick leather chin strap is fitted with a brass buckle (with an antique finish).

Details:
- Material: 1.6 mm steel, brass fittings, leather inlay and chin strap
- Suitable for a head circumference of up to approx. 69 cm
- Long inside distance (back of head to forehead): approx. 25 cm
- Short inner distance (ear-to-ear): approx. 19 cm
- Height: approx. 30 cm (front) / 15 cm (back)
- Weight: approx. 3.1 kg

The above specifications may vary slightly from item to item.