Zischägge

Date1625–1650

Mediumsteel with black paint and leather

Dimensions32.8 × 25.2 × 41.3 cm (12 15/16 × 9 15/16 × 16 1/4 in.), 3 lb 5 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsStamped, upper-case M on the spade shaped end of the nasal (cf. WAM 2014.1107), and on the fall at the medial point exterior; underside of fall bears the punched, incised number XXIIII. No other marks are visible. There is a rectangular brass tag wired to the lower end of the nasal, stamped with the inventory number E1388 of the Eugen collection.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1103

DescriptionBlocked, slightly hemispherical skull of one piece, embossed with six plain low ribs, and fitted with an open eye hook at the top, in a circular washer base. The basal edge of the skull is hollow flanged and plain at the sides. Riveted at the point is a flat, ogivally pointed fall with plain, inwardly turned edge. The fall is cut with a transverse rectangular slot at the skull, and has an adjustable nasal guard which is secured with a heart-shaped set-screw in an iron bracket mount. The nasal is formed of one thick curved strip of iron, narrowing to the bottom, with a spade-shaped terminal at the top, and fitted with a domed rivet at the rounded basal end.

The sides of the skull are fitted with a transverse pair of rivets which secure the leather suspension straps of the pendant cheekpieces. These are slightly bossed for the cheeks, circularly pierced with six holes around a seventh, and curve from the flat top down to a truncated point at center below. The edges are hollow-flanged, bordered with low lining rivets which retain the leather straps between rectangular washers within. There is a leather loop at the bottom point of each for the ties under the chin.

At the nape of the skull is riveted a laminated, articulated neck defense which flares out toward its broadly pointed base. The defense is of four deep lames overlapping upward, riveted together at the ends, and to a central leather. The top edge of each plate is cusped at the center, and bluntly pointed at the ends. The straight cut ends of each lame are hollow flanged and plain, except the edges of the terminal lame which is turned as the fall, and bordered with domed lining rivets.

Left cheek is detached.
Label TextThe name for this helmet type is a German version of the Turkish word "shishak." Possibly originating in the Balkans, it was developed in the Islamic world and spread west via eastern Europe. The sliding nose-guard is a distinctively Islamic feature.ProvenanceArchduke Eugen's Armory, Fortress Hohenwerfen, Salzburg, Austria purchased by John W. Higgins on March 5, 1927 from Anderson Galleries (NY), their # 984. Given to the Museum on January 8, 1947. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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