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Transitional Crusader Pot Helm with Faceplate – 13th Century Style
Are you looking for a helmet that combines the rugged elegance of the early Middle Ages with the emerging protection of full-face helms? This Norman skull cap with an added face shield is a perfect example of military evolution during the Crusades. It is the ideal choice if you want to portray a heavy infantryman or knight from the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries—a time when warriors began to feel the need to protect not just their skulls, but also their faces from arrow storms in the Holy Land. With its unique appearance featuring a riveted leather band and massive breathing holes, this helmet will ensure you command respect at any historical event, whether it is scenic fencing or an atmospheric LARP. It is robust, historically plausible, and ready to complete your armour. Further product information ...
Transitional Crusader Pot Helm with Faceplate – 13th Century Style
Construction and Usage
This helmet is crafted from mild steel, and its design is based on the classic Norman conical or slightly domed skull, to which a solid faceplate is firmly riveted. This provides significantly higher protection than older types with simple nasals. A distinctive aesthetic and functional feature is the wide leather band encircling the helmet, decorated with steel rivets, which reinforces the structure and gives the helmet a raw, period-correct look.
For your maximum comfort, the helmet comes equipped with an internal cloth liner (padding) and a leather chin strap, ensuring the helm stays firmly on your head even during vigorous movement. The visor features eye slits that provide a sufficient view of the battlefield, and the lower part of the face shield is perforated with ventilation holes for better breathing. If standard sizes do not fit, this helmet can be made custom to measure according to your specifications.
Historical Context
This type of helmet is a so-called transitional form between open Norman helmets and the later Great Helms (Pot Helms). It was widely used during the 12th and 13th centuries. Knights realized that an open face was too vulnerable in battle, so they began attaching fixed faceplates to their existing helmets. You can see similar helms depicted, for example, in the famous Maciejowski Bible, worn by heavy cavalry.
Technical Parameters
| Material | Mild Steel (Standard 1.5 mm / approx. 16 gauge) |
| Liner | Cloth padding, glued in |
| Fastening | Leather chin strap with buckle |
| Finish | Polished steel / Matte (per preference) |
| Type | Enclosed helmet with fixed faceplate |
Safety and Recommendations
Although the helmet is made of high-quality steel, please keep in mind that it is a replica intended primarily for scenic fencing, LARP, and re-enactment. It is not certified or constructed for full-contact combat sports like Buhurt or Battle of the Nations, where extreme demands are placed on material thickness and shock absorption. For maximum comfort and safety, we strongly recommend wearing a high-quality padded coif (arming cap) under this helmet. It not only cushions blows but also prevents chafing and improves the helmet's fit.
Care Instructions
Since the helmet is made of steel, which is prone to rust, it requires care. Wipe it dry after every use to remove sweat. For long-term storage or exposure to moisture, preserve the metal surface with a suitable oil (e.g., WD-40, mineral oil, or beeswax). Treat the leather on the band and strap occasionally with a leather conditioner to prevent cracking. Store the helmet in a dry place.
This helmet is made to measure after your measurements ‘1a’ to ‘1j’ in this measurement chart.
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