Skull Cap 1500-1520
Simple form, shaped to the head and with a narrow flare at the neck. This is basically a skull cap with a little bit of extension at the neck producing a very narrow tail. It is sort of the sallet flavor of a skull cap. Just to the right of the center line on the "tail" there is a partially stamped unidentified mark. There is a line of 10 holes for lining rivets around the base of the skull.
This type of helmet would have been used as part of an almain rivet or splint - a style of light armour produced in large numbers in the early 16th c. They are often associated with the landskenechts. Both Maximilian and Henry VIII ordered these in large numbers. There are very slight signs of delaminations, a flat spot in the left rear, a small creased dent just forward of the flat spot and a bend below a lining hole that may show signs of slight fracture. The last may indicate that the piece is hardened.
There is a nearly identical helmet illustrated in 2,500 Years of European Helmets by Howard Curtis on page 190 (identified as . 1500-1520 #212 in the author's collection).
Measurements: Thickness: generally in the range of .050 but with thicker spots .060-.065 near the right crown and consistently tapering to .035 near the tail. Thinning at the back seems to be the only intentional thinckness management. Weight: 1 pound 6.8 ounces (650g).
If you have any questions, please send them to Wade Allen
This site last updated Mon Jan 12 09:08:24 EST 2026