Selected Items from the Allen Collection Main Page Next Page

Three helmets illustrating different styles of helmet used in the late 16th century and two different styles of decoration. The first and third are entirely polished, the second "black and white." The background is left rough from the hammer work and black from the forging process (or painted) and the raised areas are polished in contrast.

German Burgonet late 16th century

One piece polished skull. High roped comb and integral brim. Separate neck lame and hinged cheek plates. Lower edge of the neck lame and cheek plates with inward-turned roped roll. Front edge of the cheek plates with simple turned in border. Cheek plates pierced with 5 holes over the ears in dice formation. Edges of the cheek plates and neck lame beveled. Nuremberg guild mark on the brim near the center. Right cheek plate stamped with Solothurn arsenal inventory numbers x 126. This helmet retains its original plume holder. Hinges appear to be original. Most remaining rivets appear to be original. The rivets that secure the leather loops at the chin of the cheek plates are replaced (as is the leather). The finish shows signs of areas that have rusted and cleaned, but many parts of the surface show signs of the type of scratches that are typical of old munition polished surfaces. These can be seen in large numbers in the close up images of the brim and the flare on the cheekplate. Similar, even more aggressive marks can be seen on the munions item number A-292. Provenance: Bischoff Collection, Vienna.

Exhibited: Feb. 10 2023-Oct. 2023 Orange County Historical Museum Hillsborough NC [inv. num. A-5]

German Morion circa 1600

Black and white. Typical of the Munich town guard. 2 piece bowl with a high comb. Brim with prominent upturned points at the front and back. Each side embossed with a large fleur-de-lys. Provenance: Ackermann Collection, Luzerne.

Weight 2 pounds 10.6 ounces (1205g).

Exhibited: Feb. 10 2023-Oct. 2023 Orange County Historical Museum Hillsborough NC [inv. num. A-6]

Cabasset circa 1600

Normal form, small stalk, narrow down turned brim. Heavy skull. Brim marked with a shield with three elements and surmounted by a crown. The mark appears to be the arms of Pope Urban VIII (Mafeo Barberini) 1623-44. The mark would indicate that it was in his armoury. Line of lining rivets with brass decorated washers (replaced) near the base of the skull. The discussion associated with Royal Armouries item number IV.2018 indicates that a large group of these, many of which have the same mark, came through Wallis and Wallis which are associated with a hoard of these found in the cellar of a house in Ireland. The RA description disputes the association of the mark with the Barberini and dates theirs to 1585-1599. This one may or may not have gone through that source. It was obtained later without provenance back to that group.

Measurements: weight 3 pounds 11.2 ounces (1680g). Thickness: Usual variation in thickness as expected. Relatively thick. Basically .09 in. to .10 in. with some areas thinning to .08 and some up to .105.

Exhibited: Feb. 10 2023-Oct. 2023 Orange County Historical Museum Hillsborough NC [inv. num. A-294]