Late Medieval Polished Steel Great Bascinet, 1400-1450

Late Medieval Polished Steel Great Bascinet for Historical Reenactment

The Evolution of Knightly Head Protection

In the first half of the 15th century (roughly between 1400 and 1450), fundamental changes occurred on European battlefields. The traditional mail aventail, which had previously protected the warriors' necks, was no longer sufficient against more piercing weapons. Armourers, therefore, began to rivet steel plates permanently to bascinet-style helmets to protect the neck and collarbones, creating the so-called Great Bascinet. This type of helmet provided knights with an unprecedented level of passive protection, albeit at the cost of slightly reduced head mobility. Our model is based precisely on these historical realities, bringing a design proven by centuries onto the modern battlefield.

Construction and Detailed Craftsmanship

The core of the helmet is formed by the skull piece, to which the plate gorget and the lifting visor are attached. The skull of the helmet is made of thicker 2 mm / 14 gauge mild steel for maximum safety of the top of the head, while the visor and neck plates are crafted from 1.6 mm / 16 gauge mild steel, which helps to optimise the overall weight of the armour. The helmet is delivered in an unpolished finish, and since it is high-carbon steel, it requires regular maintenance. Inside the helmet, a comfortable padded textile liner is installed, supplemented by an adjustable leather chin strap with a brass buckle. The lifting visor is secured by side hinges with removable pins, meaning it can be completely detached from the helmet if necessary.

Safe Usage and Armour Maintenance

Although this helmet is crafted from robust materials, safety guidelines must be kept in mind. This armour is not designed for heavy full-contact combat such as buhurt (Battle of the Nations and similar sports). Its ideal use is found in historical reenactment, standard stage fencing, or LARP. For maximum comfort and additional shock absorption, we strongly recommend wearing a quality padded coif underneath the helmet. Mild steel is susceptible to rust, so it is essential to clean the helmet of sweat and moisture after each use and subsequently treat it with synthetic or mineral oil. If light surface rust appears, it can be easily removed with a fine abrasive, and the surface must then be re-oiled.

We highly recommend purchasing a quilted gambeson and a linen padded coif alongside this helmet, which together will create a perfectly functional set.

Technical Specifications