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Wanted: A Migration Era or Very Late Roman Spangenhelm

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 10:02 pm
by Hugh
As the caption says, I am seeking a Migration Era or very Late Roman spangenhelm. My head is ca. 24.5" around and ca. 9" long by 7" wide. I am not too particular about style, but would ideally like one like the Ostrogothic Spangenhelms with the copper or bronze frames and iron spangens. I believe that there is one in a museum at the Vatican. I am willing to discuss any reasonable price, so please respond if you can help.

For those who may not know what a spangenhelm is, here is a link to an example of exactly what I specified above:
http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic ... 4661#14661

And, God, but its gorgeous!

Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 1:15 pm
by Shana Moore
Hugh are you looking to have a reproduction made? If so, i know some good armourers in NC...and they might be able to suggest one in your area. They can do musuem quality work, and their prices are reasonable.

Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:04 pm
by Hugh
Yes, I am seeking a reproduction. The only repros that I have found are made in Australia and the shipping is a killer. So, if you have anyone in the Mid-Atlantic area who might be able to help me, I would appreciate it.

Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:33 pm
by Shana Moore
Let me contact my freind in NC and see if he or his master have a website or thier contact information. I'll get back to you as soon as I can!

I used to be a member of a medieval historical recreation group, and they have several fine armourers...some of whom can do museum quality reproductions. I know there are some who do private work in VA, but not sure if they do requests....My freinds in NC will know.

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 11:19 pm
by Shana Moore
Hugh...I am waiting for a response from my freind in NC. I will let you know as soon as he's had a chance to respond. Sorry for the delay!

spangenhelm

Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 5:25 pm
by JOHN THURSTON
Hugh I assume you have checked out the weapons emporiun?

there are several repros that seem close-----I will go back to the site and get some pic.

OK:

Image

Gjermandu Viking- Hanwei

Image

Coppergate-Saxon-Hanwei

Image

Late Roman (Deppeeka) Seems Closeest and they have only one left at the Arms Emporium site.

Image

Sutton Hoo -Saxon (Hanwei)

Image


SpangenHelm (Norman despite label or so it seems to me.) Hanwei


Maybe you could tell us a bit about each even if none suit you.

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 9:36 pm
by Hugh
John, thank you for the help, but none of the items that you post will work. The Germanbu helmet is very strictly a Viking item and I already have a conical nasal helm based upon the Wenceslas helm in Prague that works for all late Migration Era types, Anglo-Saxon, Nprman, & Viking as all of them wore that style. The Coppergate Helmet is a rhather distinctive item that, to my limited knowledge, was worn by a wealthy noble and is purely Christian as it has a cross engraved on it. That moves it out of the early period of my range. The Roman Officer's helm is very nice and I have considered one, but I have also read much criticism of it over on Roman Army Talk from people who ought to know. Also, it is so heavily identified with Late Roman that I would have a very difficult time explaining it to people in my Saxon personna. WHat I said about the Coppergate helm goes in spades for the Sutton Hoo helm, the one with the face mask. That helm was a part of a king's burial and is very permanently identified with that king. Finally, the nasal spangenhelm is a version of the helm that I alreaqdy have and is very clearly tied to the late period.

The reasons for the Ostrogothinc Helm are that: 1) it looks so damned cool and 2) it is not so identified with any specific group or person in that it was a very popular style all around Europe from the 4th Century through about the 7th or 8th when the conical nasal took over. Oh, and my head is so big that it will almost require a custom helmet to fit me.

Helms

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:30 pm
by JOHN THURSTON
Hi:

Well;

On hearing the explanation, my feeling would be the same as yours.

Even the Officer's one I found seemed a trifle gaudy to my tastes.

I like posting pics, and prefer that to endless urls.

It adds some color to each thread.

The helm you mentioned conforms to those pictured in the Osprey "Adrianoople" and I quite agree with trying to get one that is correct.

I saw another. It looked kinda chessy, but today or tommorow I will post to confirm my opinion.

If youknew a blacksmith, perhaps some of the fault on the last helm listed might be repaired. The Last one in stock is alleged to be Brass in any event.


I also received the "Del Tin" Spatha, which is identiacal (again) with the one illustrated in the above named book.

But, the service was quick and the price reasonable.

It is not sharp, but I have other swords to cut with.

John

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:32 pm
by Shana Moore
i just sent a reminder to my freind in NC...he works a swing shift, so sometimes he needs the nudge. Sorry for the delay! The folks I'm talking to do create armour that is used in recreation...so it's historically accurate, but usable...unless a client ASKS for gaudy...they don't....nuff said?

Thank You

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:40 pm
by JOHN THURSTON
Thank you Shana for your diligent work.

I look forward to your input on other matters.

Hugh and I and Sensei Fred Channel have had some interesting go arounds on swords.

John

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:08 pm
by f.Channell
Speaking of which I wore out my koiguchi and have to repair it.

Still considering a WWI bayonet as well.

F.

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:11 pm
by f.Channell
Might have to save for a helmet though.

Image

Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 5:46 pm
by Shana Moore
My apologies for taking so long to follow up on this thread! Of the two friends in NC, one no longer does armouring because of lack of space and the other is not currently taking new orders because of a backlog. I checked with my other SCA contacts and found there are several armourers in the Eastern U.S. that might be able to help you. Unfortunately, I cannot personally recommend thier work, as I have no direct experience, and I couldn't get any websites or contact inforamtion (yet).

For what it's worth, though, I had the local kingdom armour recommend GDFB (get dressed for battle) and to warn caution for "illusion Armory". Otherwise, they said to do a web search. Here is the website for GDFB (http://www.gdfb.co.uk/index.html)and they did have an off the shelf spagenhelm....and they do do custom work. They are an European group, so shipping may not be cheap, but possibly cheaper than Australia. I'll let you know if I can find out anytyhing else. Good luck!

thank you

Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 5:03 pm
by JOHN THURSTON
thank you Shana

Do visit here often

John