Early cabasset (chapel)

Early cabasset (chapel)

Here is a pinnacle of the French armorers’ engineering in the XV century. Yes, don’t smile and look so surprised. This “egghead” and funny medieval helmet was the best protection against the most tremendous hand-held weapon of that epoch. But, let’s talk about step by step.

Cabasset, Aragón, Spain. 1490-1500, Philadelphia Museum of Art

Chapel is an identifiable ancestor of cabasset, as it was the only affordable type of head protection for unwealthy mounted knights and infantrymen. However, such plain and unattractive medieval steel helmet saved many lives. In comparison with expensive and complex closed helmets, cabasset had such undeniable advantage as lightweight, easy breathing and hearing. Such disadvantages as non-covered face and neck are obvious as well. So, why did helmet with such weak protective qualities not die out, but developed, changed and existed much longer, than its closed comrades? Chapel becomes flatter on the sides and more extended top, transforming into cabasset, from which morion will be originated after a time. So, why?

Italian cabasset, XVI-XVII, Metropolitan Museum of Art

And the reason is in the simple and rough weapon of the XIV-XV centuries, the same plain as chapel is in contrast with elegant bascinets… A weapon, which did not have mercy on common infantrymen and noble knights… A weapon, simple and trustworthy… We guess you already realized that it is referred to halberd. Its direct head impact almost did not leave a chance to survive after the enormous inertial force, gathered during swing-up… Unless you wear chapel, or even better a cabasset.

Cabasset, Germany or Austria, XVI, Worcester Art Museum

Besides a halberd, common foot soldier was hit in the upper part of head with any other weapon with a probability of 90%, so metal helmet cabasset was giving him a good chance to survive. However, if he has sentimental value of his face, so there are bevors for protection.

Unusual shape of cabasset was perfect in order that enormous hits would slip down the dome and go aside thanks to turn-up brims. High top allowed increase space between the place of halberd’s touchdown and cupola of medieval helmets’ wearers’, which was also increasing chances to survive. Comb appeared in the XVI century and was not so much a decorative element as a reinforcement rib, which additionally enforced design of helmet.

Cabasset helmet for sale, which we bring to your attention, is hammered out of cold-rolled 1.5 mm steel and is kept on the head with leather belts with steel buckles. Extra thick and soft padded liner is riveted inside the helmet with steel rivets. In options, we offer you to choose type of metal finish treatment (by the way, we have a brand new finish treatment in base option – blackened (hammered) polishing ;-)), leather color, metal of buckles and rivets.

Main photo shows medieval helm cabasset with following options:

• Cold-rolled steel 1.5 mm;
• Satin polishing as finish treatment;
• Brown leather belts;
• Steel nickel-plated buckles;
• Steel rivets;
• No decoration;
• Sewn liner

Base price includes following options:

• Cold-rolled steel 1.5 mm;
• Satin polishing;
• Black leather belts;
• Steel nickel-plated buckles;
• Steel rivets;
• No decoration;
• Sewn liner

Helm cabasset in blueing as a finish treatment (on pictures) with following options

• Cold-rolled steel 2 mm (12 ga);
• Blueing as finish treatment;
• Black leather belts;
• Cust buckles;
• Fogured brass rivets;
• Bar grill visor as a additional option
• No decoration;
• Sewn liner

Benefits, which you’ll get, if you buy medieval helmet at Steel Mastery:

1. Custom-made high-quality metal body armor, handcrafted by your individual parameters;
2. Reliability and comfortable wearing for years;
3. Product made by experienced blacksmiths, who really know how to make a good armor;
4. Convenient payment systems (Paypal, Skrill, Visa, MasterCard, American Express);
5. Flexible return system in case if you don’t like an item.

You may also like these models of medieval kettle hats: Chapel-de-fer with bar grill, Kettle helm with high top point, Chapel-de-fer with oculars.

In section “Helmets”, you can see all models that we offer for ordering. If you didn’t find any for your taste and wish, please send us photo and description of the required model and we will make it for you.