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Viking Spectacle Helmet with Chainmail Camail – Gjermundbu Style - Outlet
Can you hear the call of the North? If you want to command respect on the battlefield or at a LARP event while looking like an authentic 10th-century raider, this Viking Spectacle Helmet is exactly for you. Its iconic look, featuring the distinctive "spectacle" face guard, is based on archaeological finds and offers a great blend of protection and historical accuracy. Thanks to the attached chainmail camail (aventail), your neck and shoulders will be protected without restricting your movement when swinging an axe. Further product information ...
Viking Spectacle Helmet with Chainmail Camail – Gjermundbu Style
Construction and Craftsmanship
The helmet is hand-crafted from mild steel with a thickness of approximately 18 gauge (1.2 mm). The surface features a deliberately rustic, hammered "antique finish," giving the helmet the appearance of battle-hardened armor rather than a polished trinket from a display case. Structurally, it is a spangenhelm, where steel plates are riveted together and reinforced with metal bands.
Comfort is ensured by an internal genuine leather liner (spider style), which is adjustable so you can fit the helmet precisely to your head. To prevent the helmet from falling off in the heat of battle, it is equipped with a leather chin strap and a brass buckle.
Chainmail Camail (Aventail)
Included with the helmet is a chainmail drape that protects the nape and neck. It is made of steel rings with a diameter of 10 mm. The rings are butted, meaning the wire ends are simply bent together. This type of camail is ideal for costume purposes and light combat but is not suitable for full-contact hits with sharp or heavy weapons, which could pull the rings apart.
Historical Context: Gjermundbu
This type of helmet is called a "spectacle" helmet due to the characteristic shape of the face guard, which protects the eyes and nose much like a pair of glasses. The most famous and practically the only complete find of a Viking helmet is the one from Gjermundbu in Norway (found in 1943, dating to the 10th century). In the Viking Age, such a helmet was a status symbol; most warriors fought bareheaded or wearing only leather caps. Owning such steel protection meant being an elite warrior or a chieftain.
Product Specifications
| Helmet Material | Mild Steel (18 gauge / approx. 1.2 mm) |
| Finish | Hammered Antique Look |
| Inner Circumference | Approx. 68 cm (26.75 in) without liner, 66 cm (26 in) with liner |
| Overall Height | Approx. 54.5 cm (21.5 in) including camail |
| Helmet Height | Approx. 28 cm (11 in) |
| Camail Material | 10 mm Steel Rings (Butted), 16 gauge wire |
| Liner | Genuine Leather, Adjustable |
| Weight | Approx. 1.6 kg (3.5 lbs) |
Care and Maintenance
To ensure your helmet lasts for ages, you must care for it as you would your sword:
- Rust Protection: Mild steel is not stainless. After every use, wipe the helmet dry and apply a thin coat of protective oil (e.g., WD-40 or gun oil).
- Storage: Store it in a dry place. Humidity is the enemy.
- Leather Care: Treat the leather liner and straps occasionally with a leather conditioner to keep them flexible and prevent cracking.
Safety Warning
Due to the material thickness (18 gauge) and the type of chainmail (butted rings), this item is classified as Class C according to the classification of reenactment weapons – product without warranty! The helmet is suitable for LARP, theater, cosplay, and light reenactment skirmishes. It is not intended for full-contact combat like Buhurt (HMB) or Battle of the Nations, where there is a risk of steel deformation or the camail tearing under heavy blows.
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