Austrian Zischägge/lobsterpot helmet

[Victrix]

Started preparing for Christmas already. Obtained this mid-1600s Austrian zischegge or lobstertail pot helmet. It has a one-piece fluted skull with 12 ribs which finish in a small flower shaped crown plate and ring finial. Some say the ring was used to hang the helmet from the saddle, and others say it was to attach field colours for identification. It has a peak with turned edge and sliding nasal bar. There’s a four-lame neck guard with flower edge decoration, and two pierced cheek pieces. This is not standard armoury munitions grade issue and probably belonged to an officer.

Many rivets are missing. Maybe these were gilted and salvaged for value?

I will clean the helmet and try to clear some of the rust gently before giving it a good oiling.

Comments welcome.

[Victrix]

The bottom lame in the neck guard is stamped with a letter S and a number 6 or 9. Each cheek piece is also stamped with a number 6 or 9. I think these are batch marks which would be hidden under the buff leather lining.

[Victrix]

When I tried the helmet on I discovered that the ”nasal bar” cannot be lowered vertically as the nose is in the way. The helmet is probably a bit small for me (190cm tall) but still I struggle to see how these can be used for nasal protection. It seems to me they are for decoration in Indo-Persian style. Some English civil war lobstertail pot helmets have face guards but they are attached more towards the edges of the pointed peak and not flush with the forehead.

[Lansquenet59]

The nasal protection bar was useful to protect the face from a sword blow from an opposing rider. Unless you have a very large nose, this bar should not interfere with the wearer of this helmet.

[fernando]

Prety cool piece. Do the back lames articulate ?

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by fernando

Prety cool piece. Do the back lames articulate ?

Thank you, Fernando.

The tail consists of lames which are riveted one plate to another. This allows for only a little movement between plates. The plates don’t compress (collapse into each other). I don’t think I ever saw a Zischagge where the plates compressed in such a manner, although the design suggests that this would be the case. On the other hand there is not much need for this since the objective is to protect the neck.

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by Lansquenet59

The nasal protection bar was useful to protect the face from a sword blow from an opposing rider. Unless you have a very large nose, this bar should not interfere with the wearer of this helmet.

Originally Posted by fernando

Could it be that the bar, or its holding bracket, was bent inwards due to a fall, or been hit by some accidental (or not) blow ? Have you thought of bending it out a little ?
.

I’m a tall person and the helmet is probably a little small. When I tilted it back a little I could lower the bar to cover the bridge of my nose at least. I have been unable to locate any contemporary graphic material which shows wearers with the nasal guard down. I think it may be more decorative than functional. If the front of the helmet is flush with your forehead then it becomes technically difficult to slide down the bar to cover the nose unless pugfaced.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Victrix

...When I tried the helmet on I discovered that the ”nasal bar” cannot be lowered vertically as the nose is in the way...

Could it be that the bar, or its holding bracket, was bent inwards due to a fall, or been hit by some accidental (or not) blow ? Have you thought of bending it out a little ?


.

[Raf]

Here is another 3