Viking Spectacle Helmet, Spangenhelm with Aventail, 1.2 mm Steel

This Viking Age spectacle helmet is made from 1.2 mm steel. The helmet consists of a blackened, domed helmet bowl, a brow-band running round the bowl's edge, two intersecting strips or bands running respectively from front to back and from ear to ear, and a spectacle guard (a protective face plate resembling eyeglasses / spectacles) with nasal protection. The component parts are all connected by steel rivets and the gaps between the steel bands are filled with Y-shaped brass plates or segments fixed onto the bowl with brass rivets. The strips and the eye/face protection are adorned with a Celtic-style knot work or interlace pattern.

The interior of the helmet is blackened and fitted with an adjustable leather suspension liner attached with rivets. The 2 mm thick black leather chin strap fastens with a steel buckle.

The helmet features a shoulder-length chainmail aventail or “camail” that protects the neck, throat and lower facial part. The mail weave is composed of butted (unriveted) steel rings with an inner diameter of approx. 9 mm. The aventail is attached to the helmet by means of strong iron wire that runs all the way round the helmet. The threading loops holding the wire in place are fastened to the lower edge of the helmet.

The spangenhelm was the predominant helmet type of the Early European Middle Ages. The helmet  is not an authentic reproduction of an original historical example, but rather a free interpretation of the Early Medieval or Germanic nasal helmets, spangenhelms / cross-band helmets and spectacle helmets from the Vendel Period and Viking Age.

This fully wearable Fantasy helmet of various inspirations (Scandinavian, Anglo-Saxon, Norman, etc.) is an ideal accessory for LARP, Fantasy, fancy dress, stage or TV/film. It will also make a great decorative addition to any helmet collector.

Details:

Material: 1.2 mm blackened steel bowl, steel bands, brass fittings, leather inlay, leather chin strap

Chainmail aventail: butted steel rings, ID 9 mm

Suitable for head circumference up to approx. 66 cm

Long distance (back to front): approx. 21 cm

Short distance (ear to ear): approx. 21 c

Height (without aventail): approx. 16 cm (approx. 26 cm with spectacle/nose guard)

Length of aventail (fully stretched): approx. 30 cm

Weight (with aventail): approx. 4.5 kg

Specs may slightly vary from piece to piece.