Helmet

Culture Northern German

Date1550–1575

Mediumsteel, leather and brass

Dimensions44 × 22 × 32 cm (17 5/16 × 8 11/16 × 12 5/8 in.), 13 lb 9 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.79.1.1

DescriptionOne-piece skull, with pivoted visor and 1-piece bevor assembly. Associated brass plume pipe; skull is pierced to tie down the plume (this seems to be a later modification, though still perhaps working-life). A pierced tab has been created at the nape of the neck to secure at the rear.; a similar tab can be found on the tilting-targe.

The visor has a lifting peg that pulls outward to release the catch securing it to the bevor. The eyeslot is extremely narrow.

The bevor has a ventilation door, secured by a spring catch that is operated by a (now restored) lace, which comes out at the middle bottom of the door. The integral upper chest plate has 3 holes for securing to the breastplate.

Lacing holes present at both ears. There are holes for a lost hook mechanism for securing the bevor to the skull at the R front lower edge.
ProvenanceHollingworth Magniac collection (England; to 1892) Joseph Duveen (NYC and London) Oliver H.P. Belmont (NYC and Newport, RI) Clarence H. Mackay (Roslyn, LI). Purchased by Museum on November 9, 1940 from Jacques Seligmann & Co. Inc. (NYC), agents for estate of Clarence H. Mackay. Armor was numbered #A-52/302 in the Mackay collection. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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