european helmet

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by ulfberth

Hello François,

You have a nice and original lobster tail helmet there , as every part seems to have the 4 dots I think they are simply markings used by the armory to mark parts that were made to fit together for induvidual helmets.

kind regards

Ulfberth

That is excellent Ulfberth! I would never have guessed what those dots were for!!! That is amazing using the part marking systems in this way, and to see how armourers tended to assembly of their wares.
Thank you for always adding these observations as it really helps to know what to look for in these items.
While the books can tell us a lot on history and typology etc. they seldom give us these often almost nuanced clues on authentication.

[FRANCOIS]

Thank's Ulfberth for your answer

[A Senefelder]

What Ulfbert said. These helmets were made in large quantities and in order to keep the plates for each one of a set together this sort of matched punching was sometimes used. There was a second punch method used where it was sequential used to keep plates of an assembly ( usually arms or legs ) in their proper order where some of the plates look similar in sequence. I've owned examples of both over the years and used both punch methods when I used to make armour for a living.

[ulfberth]

Thanks for the kind words Jim and Senefelder,
Good and complete lobster tail helmets or zischagge's are very hard to find.
Most of them have replaced cheek peaces or nasal bars, that does not mean that helmets with restored parts are no good, of course they are if the buyer is OK with it.
As for the stamps on the parts as on this example this seem more the exception than a rule, but it sure does ad character and history to this nice helmet.

kind regards

Ulfbert

[Jim McDougall]

In the thread recently posted, 'a siege weight helmet', I came across the outstanding article in Park Lane Arms Fair, Spring 2005 journal, "What Do Armourers Marks Mean? by Chris Dobson, master armourer.
This article addresses these practices in detail and presents a fascinating look at the systems of stamps and numbering armourers used, giving us insight into these many punched dots, squiggles and other curious marks.

[ulfberth]

Hi Jim,

that is most interesting information you have found there, what does it say ? or can you post it ?

kind regards

Ulfberth

[fernando]

Originally Posted by ulfberth

Hi Jim, ...that is most interesting information you have found there, what does it say ? or can you post it ? ...

Yes, that would be so much interesting .

[Jim McDougall]

Guys, I was remiss in not adding this, and simply citing the article for the reference for future research of others. I am quite frankly not very adept (actually quite Luddite) at technical matters, thus often hesitant at adding links etc.
In this case, the article was not online, but in a physical copy I had here, and my wife and I were trying to scan it to post. We made a number of tries with files too large , but finally got this so hope it reads OK.

I am very grateful for the detailed and thorough material you guys and so many here on these pages tirelessly add (Fernando especially your very helpful translations from your resources). I am trying to get better at this so I can add material quid pro quo.

Here is the article by Mr. Dobson, from the London Arms Fair, Spring 2005.