Onion Top Bascinet with Klappvisor, Medieval Helmet

Onion Top Bascinet with Klappvisor, Medieval Helmet, 14th Century

The bascinet came up in the early 14th century. It evolved from the so-called cervelliere or secret helmet (a simple skull cap) and remained a popular helmet well into the 15th century throughout Central Europe.

This late medieval helm is a reconstruction of an onion top bascinet with hinged visor, also known as a klappvisor or klappvisier bascinet. It is crafted from approx. 1.6 mm thick steel and equipped with a fully detachable face guard that is hinged at a single point at the centre of the brow. Especially in 14th c. Germany and northern Italy, this particular type of centre-hinged visor enjoyed great popularity. This visor features two approx. 7.5 cm long, 0.6 cm wide eye-slits as well as round cutouts right under the eyes and on the right side for proper ventilation.

The back and sides of the helmet’s bowl are studded with a row of protruding, pierced rivets made of steel. These so-called vervelles allow for the addition of a chainmail aventail or camail (not included in the scope of delivery).

The visored helmet’s interior is blackened for better corrosion resistance, and fitted with a padded linen fabric liner attached to the bowl’s edge with sturdy rivets. The adjustable leather chin strap closes with a brass buckle.

Suitable for re-enactment, LARP, stage or TV/film, this fully wearable knightly helm is most fitting for settings of the late Middle Ages and ideal to complete the armour of a European warrior. It will make your transformation into a proud knight just perfect, and is a great, decorative addition to any helmet collector’s treasure chamber.

Details:
- Material: 1.6 mm steel, linen inlay (padded), leather chin strap with brass buckle
- Suitable for head circumference up to approx. 64 cm
- Long distance (back to front): approx. 21 cm
- Short distance (ear to ear): approx. 20 cm
- Height: approx. 40 cm (front, with closed visor) / 32 cm (back)
- Weight: approx. 2.95 kg

Specs may slightly vary from piece to piece.

The steel used here is not rust-proof and might show slight surface tarnishing in places. We recommend you to maintain helmets on a regular basis, for example using Ballistol Universal Oil, which is ideally suited for steel care.