Open Late Gothic Sallet for Light Infantry and Archers

Open Late Gothic Sallet for Light Infantry and Archers

History and Purpose of the Open Sallet

During the 15th century, the sallet became one of the most popular and widely used helmets throughout Europe. While heavy cavalry preferred fully enclosed variants, light infantry, crossbowmen, and archers specifically chose the sallet without a visor. The open design allowed them to aim without hindrance, did not restrict their breathing during physically demanding combat, and provided sufficient protection for the crown and nape thanks to the elongated rear tail. This helmet is a faithful reflection of the needs of the soldiers of that time, for whom mobility and sensory awareness were paramount.

Construction and Safe Usage

The product is carefully shaped from high-quality mild steel. The skull of the helmet is smooth, with a slightly elongated rear tail protecting the neck. Along the edge, the helmet is fitted with a row of solid rivets. In the attached photos, you can notice the historically inspired blue quilted fabric liner. A sturdy leather chin strap ending with a classic period buckle is used to safely secure the helmet to your head.

From a safety perspective, we must strongly warn you that this is not protective armor suitable for heavy, full-contact combat, such as buhurt or Battle of the Nations (HMB), unless you opt for the thickest 2.0 mm (approx. 14 gauge) variant, and even then, the face remains exposed. The helmet is designed primarily for light stage combat and LARP. For comfortable wear and shock absorption, we strongly recommend that you wear a suitable base layer under the helmet, ideally a padded coif (arming cap), even though the helmet already includes an internal liner.

Maintenance of Historical Armor

Since the product is made of standard mild steel (not stainless steel), it requires regular maintenance to prevent corrosion. After each use, especially in a humid environment or when sweating, we advise you to wipe the helmet dry and treat its surface with a thin layer of gun or conservation oil. This will prevent rust formation and keep the helmet in perfect visual condition for many years. The leather chin strap should occasionally be treated with a quality leather balm.

Recommended Accessories

A padded arming cap fits perfectly with this sallet for maximum comfort, along with historical leather gloves to complete the authentic gear of a light infantryman.

Technical Parameters

This helmet can be made to measure after your measurements ‘1a’ to ‘1j’ in this measurement chart.

Please read our instructions, how to determine a helmet size correctly.