(continued)
In the Second World War, a Stahlhelm variant without the visor and rim was issued to paratrooper units.
The Stahlhelm with its distinctive "coal scuttle" shape was an excellent symbol for military imagery. It was a common element of military propaganda on both sides, just like the Pickelhaube before. After WWII, West Germany abandoned the distinctive Stahlhelm, which had become a symbol of German military aggression, using a variant of the more harmless-looking US Army "GI Pot" helmet instead. After the war, the West German police units kept the Stahlhelm in their inventories, though it was seldom worn, and the German Paratroopers variant was used for some time by the German Federal Police. German firefighters today still use Stahlhelm-shaped helmets in a fluorescent color. The Chilean Army still uses the Stahlhelm design for ceremonial purposes.
This is the final post of a 4 part series. I hope that you enjoyed the read.
Also, if you are interested in more information on WWI and WWII Collectible weapons, uniforms and accessories, visit The Historical Weapon Store for a wide variety of quality war time replicas.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
The History and Evolution of World War I & II Helmets: Part III
(continued)
The Adrian helmet was a military helmet issued to the French Army during WWI. It was the first standard helmet issued to the French Army. Introduced in 1915, it served as a basic helmet of many armies well into 1930s. Initially issued to infantry, its modified versions were also issued to cavalry and tank crews. Its subsequent version, the M26, was adopted later and used during WWII.
The Brodie helmet was a steel helmet designed and patented in 1915 by John L. Brodie. The helmet had a shallow circular crown with a wide brim around the edge, a leather liner and a leather chinstrap. The helmet's "soup bowl" shape was originally designed to protect the wearer's head and shoulders from falling fragments. The shallow bowl design allowed the use of relatively thick steel that could be formed in a single pressing while maintaining the helmet's thickness. Although this made it more resistant to projectiles, the design offered less protection to the lower part of the head and neck than other designs. The steel helmet was known to the troops as a "tin hat" or for the officers a "battle bowler".
The M1 steel helmet was used by the US military for over 40 years. It was introduced officially during the WWII to replace the Brodie helmet but saw little action until 1942.
The M1 helmet is actually two helmets. The shell, which is sometimes referred to as the "steel pot", and the liner, which is made of various non-metal material, depending upon when it was made. The "steel pot" or shell cannot be worn by the soldier by itself. The liner can be worn by itself, or fit inside the shell and contains the suspension that ensures the helmet fits comfortably to the wearer's head. Worn alone, the liner can look very much like a full helmet. The liner is much lighter in weight and more flexible than the outer steel shell. The design of the M1 led to some novel uses. When the pot was separated from the liner it became a cooking pot, washbasin, bucket, shovel or a seat.
This post is 3 of a 4 part series. Please read on and enjoy. Also, if you are interested in more information on WWI and WWII Collectible weapons, uniforms and accessories, visit The Historical Weapon Store for a wide variety of quality war time replicas.
The Adrian helmet was a military helmet issued to the French Army during WWI. It was the first standard helmet issued to the French Army. Introduced in 1915, it served as a basic helmet of many armies well into 1930s. Initially issued to infantry, its modified versions were also issued to cavalry and tank crews. Its subsequent version, the M26, was adopted later and used during WWII.
The Brodie helmet was a steel helmet designed and patented in 1915 by John L. Brodie. The helmet had a shallow circular crown with a wide brim around the edge, a leather liner and a leather chinstrap. The helmet's "soup bowl" shape was originally designed to protect the wearer's head and shoulders from falling fragments. The shallow bowl design allowed the use of relatively thick steel that could be formed in a single pressing while maintaining the helmet's thickness. Although this made it more resistant to projectiles, the design offered less protection to the lower part of the head and neck than other designs. The steel helmet was known to the troops as a "tin hat" or for the officers a "battle bowler".
The M1 steel helmet was used by the US military for over 40 years. It was introduced officially during the WWII to replace the Brodie helmet but saw little action until 1942.
The M1 helmet is actually two helmets. The shell, which is sometimes referred to as the "steel pot", and the liner, which is made of various non-metal material, depending upon when it was made. The "steel pot" or shell cannot be worn by the soldier by itself. The liner can be worn by itself, or fit inside the shell and contains the suspension that ensures the helmet fits comfortably to the wearer's head. Worn alone, the liner can look very much like a full helmet. The liner is much lighter in weight and more flexible than the outer steel shell. The design of the M1 led to some novel uses. When the pot was separated from the liner it became a cooking pot, washbasin, bucket, shovel or a seat.
This post is 3 of a 4 part series. Please read on and enjoy. Also, if you are interested in more information on WWI and WWII Collectible weapons, uniforms and accessories, visit The Historical Weapon Store for a wide variety of quality war time replicas.
The History and Evolution of World War I & II Helmets: Part II
(continued)
The Pickelhaube was a spiked helmet worn in the 19th and 20th century by German military. The early Russian models had used the spike as a holder for a horsehair plume, but German models were unornamented from the start.
The basic Pickelhaube was made of hardened leather, given a glossy-black finish, and reinforced with metal trim that included a metal spike at the crown. Early versions had a high crown, but the height gradually was reduced and the helmet became more fitted in form. Some versions were worn by German artillery units employed a ball-shaped finial rather than the pointed spike. The Russian version initially had a horsehair plume fitted to the end of the spike, but this was later discarded in some units. The Russian spike was topped with a small ball, with the spike emerging from it.
Aside from the spike finial, perhaps the most recognizable feature of the Pickelhaube was the ornamental front plate, which denoted the regiment's province or state. The most common plate design consisted of a large, spread-winged eagle, the emblem used by Prussia.
This post is 2 of a 4 part series. Please read on and enjoy. Also, if you are interested in more information on WWI and WWII Collectible weapons, uniforms and accessories, visit The Historical Weapon Store for a wide variety of quality replicas.
The Pickelhaube was a spiked helmet worn in the 19th and 20th century by German military. The early Russian models had used the spike as a holder for a horsehair plume, but German models were unornamented from the start.
The basic Pickelhaube was made of hardened leather, given a glossy-black finish, and reinforced with metal trim that included a metal spike at the crown. Early versions had a high crown, but the height gradually was reduced and the helmet became more fitted in form. Some versions were worn by German artillery units employed a ball-shaped finial rather than the pointed spike. The Russian version initially had a horsehair plume fitted to the end of the spike, but this was later discarded in some units. The Russian spike was topped with a small ball, with the spike emerging from it.
Aside from the spike finial, perhaps the most recognizable feature of the Pickelhaube was the ornamental front plate, which denoted the regiment's province or state. The most common plate design consisted of a large, spread-winged eagle, the emblem used by Prussia.
This post is 2 of a 4 part series. Please read on and enjoy. Also, if you are interested in more information on WWI and WWII Collectible weapons, uniforms and accessories, visit The Historical Weapon Store for a wide variety of quality replicas.
The History and Evolution of World War I & II Helmets: Part I
Known as a "transitional period" in military history, World War II sees the convergence between Great War -era attempts and experimentation with modern technology and modern examples of a new type of combat, characterized by the individual soldier rather than the military unit.
Regarding WW II, it is important to realize that because the war was fought around the world, variations in uniforms and equipment exist and are simply unpredictable.
During the first year of WWI, none of the combatants offered steel helmets to their troops. The soldiers of most nations went into battle wearing simple cloth caps that offered virtually no protection from modern weapons. German troops were wearing the traditional leather Pickelhaube, also of little protective value. As the war entered the trench warfare phase, the number of casualties on all sides suffering from severe head wounds increased dramatically. The French were the first to see a real need for more effective protection, and began to issue Adrian Helmets, bowl-shaped steel "skullcaps" worn under the cloth caps, to their troops. It replaced the traditional French kepi and was later adopted by both the Belgian and Italian armies. The British followed with the introduction of the Brodie helmet, which was also worn by U.S. forces, and the Germans with the Stahlhelm.
This post is 1 of a 4 part series. Please read on and enjoy. Also, if you are interested in more information on WWI and WWII Collectible weapons, uniforms and accessories, visit The Historical Weapon Store for a wide variety of quality replicas.
Regarding WW II, it is important to realize that because the war was fought around the world, variations in uniforms and equipment exist and are simply unpredictable.
During the first year of WWI, none of the combatants offered steel helmets to their troops. The soldiers of most nations went into battle wearing simple cloth caps that offered virtually no protection from modern weapons. German troops were wearing the traditional leather Pickelhaube, also of little protective value. As the war entered the trench warfare phase, the number of casualties on all sides suffering from severe head wounds increased dramatically. The French were the first to see a real need for more effective protection, and began to issue Adrian Helmets, bowl-shaped steel "skullcaps" worn under the cloth caps, to their troops. It replaced the traditional French kepi and was later adopted by both the Belgian and Italian armies. The British followed with the introduction of the Brodie helmet, which was also worn by U.S. forces, and the Germans with the Stahlhelm.
This post is 1 of a 4 part series. Please read on and enjoy. Also, if you are interested in more information on WWI and WWII Collectible weapons, uniforms and accessories, visit The Historical Weapon Store for a wide variety of quality replicas.
Time and Treachery in the Viking era
The age of the Vikings is generally agreed to have opened with a lightening raid on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne in 793 AD, although they had been at least one smaller raid before that. In 789, a Viking ship landed in England and killed the king's representative before leaving. But traditional Viking history begins with the raid in 793.
When the monastery at Lindisfarne in northern England was sacked by the Vikings in 793, it was recorded by the Northumbrian chronicler Alcuin as an event of unspeakable brutality. Yet two and a half centuries earlier it was Alcuin’s ancestors, the heathen Saxons, who had slaughtered and raped their way through the Christian communities of Britain. The Vikings were scarcely different; they were just late to the game.
The Vikings Long Treachery:
Over the next two or three centuries the relentless Vikings raided their way across Europe. From Greenland to Algiers, from Labrador to the Volga, the Vikings made their presence felt. From Sweden they crossed the Baltic and rowed up the rivers into Russia. They ported their boats across to the Don and the Dnepr and the Volga, and sailed to the Black Sea and the farthest reaches of southeastern Europe. Rounding Gibraltar, Vikings raided the Mediterranean coasts of Iberia, Italy, and Muslim North Africa. The Vikings even had the rare distinction of taking Arabs as slaves.But, despite the conquest and slaughter, and unlike the Arabs (who were dedicated slave-traders), the Vikings did not generally take slaves during their raids. Perhaps the necessity of rapid movement by sea and the long passages through the cold northern waters discouraged the practice.
The Vikings were otherwise dedicated traders, establishing fortified mercantile settlements wherever they went. The Norse Vikings, after plundering the many rich monastic targets in Ireland and northwestern Scotland, established trading centers which became Dublin, Limerick, and other major Irish cities. In their wake they left their blond-haired genes to supplement the black hair of the Celts.
For more information on how you can get a hold of popular Viking collectibles, learn more about Viking History or The Dark Ages, visit The Historical Weapons Store.com
When the monastery at Lindisfarne in northern England was sacked by the Vikings in 793, it was recorded by the Northumbrian chronicler Alcuin as an event of unspeakable brutality. Yet two and a half centuries earlier it was Alcuin’s ancestors, the heathen Saxons, who had slaughtered and raped their way through the Christian communities of Britain. The Vikings were scarcely different; they were just late to the game.
The Vikings Long Treachery:
Over the next two or three centuries the relentless Vikings raided their way across Europe. From Greenland to Algiers, from Labrador to the Volga, the Vikings made their presence felt. From Sweden they crossed the Baltic and rowed up the rivers into Russia. They ported their boats across to the Don and the Dnepr and the Volga, and sailed to the Black Sea and the farthest reaches of southeastern Europe. Rounding Gibraltar, Vikings raided the Mediterranean coasts of Iberia, Italy, and Muslim North Africa. The Vikings even had the rare distinction of taking Arabs as slaves.But, despite the conquest and slaughter, and unlike the Arabs (who were dedicated slave-traders), the Vikings did not generally take slaves during their raids. Perhaps the necessity of rapid movement by sea and the long passages through the cold northern waters discouraged the practice.
The Vikings were otherwise dedicated traders, establishing fortified mercantile settlements wherever they went. The Norse Vikings, after plundering the many rich monastic targets in Ireland and northwestern Scotland, established trading centers which became Dublin, Limerick, and other major Irish cities. In their wake they left their blond-haired genes to supplement the black hair of the Celts.
For more information on how you can get a hold of popular Viking collectibles, learn more about Viking History or The Dark Ages, visit The Historical Weapons Store.com
The End of The Viking Era
The Vikings raided and traded their way around a large part of the world from the 8th to the 11th centuries, leaving an enduring legend of terror and admiration mixed. For 300 years the Vikings spread out from their Scandinavian homelands, sweeping the world from Baghdad to North America.
They were an extraordinary group of people who were not only ferocious attackers and fearless warriors, but also shrewd traders, skilled explorers and navigators, superb shipbuilders and craftsmen, and pagans with a rich mythology and strong tradition of story-telling. Their name remains legend for the terrifying raids on the coasts of Britain, Ireland and Europe in the 8th and 9th centuries. Famed for their navigation ability and long ships, Vikings in a few hundred years colonized the coasts and rivers of Europe, the islands of Shetland, Orkney, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, and for a short while also Newfoundland circa AD 1000, while still reaching as far south as North Africa, east into Russia and to Constantinople for raiding and trading.
The Vikings valued glory and valor above all things. A warrior's death meant a place in Valhalla. They formed large trading centers in their own lands and in other countries, where they practiced crafts like wood turning, jewelry making, blacksmithing and textile work. Their societies were loosely democratic, and Viking women often had power and status, running estates while the men were gone.
Viking voyages grew less frequent with the introduction of Christianity to Scandinavia in the late 10th and 11th century. The Vikings lost their pagan beliefs as they settled in Christian countries and as Christianity spread into the North. Their societies changed with the medieval world. The age of the Viking was over, but they made a mark never forgotten.
For more information on how you can get a hold of popular Viking collectibles, learn more about Viking History or The Dark Ages, visit The Historical Weapons Store.com
They were an extraordinary group of people who were not only ferocious attackers and fearless warriors, but also shrewd traders, skilled explorers and navigators, superb shipbuilders and craftsmen, and pagans with a rich mythology and strong tradition of story-telling. Their name remains legend for the terrifying raids on the coasts of Britain, Ireland and Europe in the 8th and 9th centuries. Famed for their navigation ability and long ships, Vikings in a few hundred years colonized the coasts and rivers of Europe, the islands of Shetland, Orkney, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, and for a short while also Newfoundland circa AD 1000, while still reaching as far south as North Africa, east into Russia and to Constantinople for raiding and trading.
The Vikings valued glory and valor above all things. A warrior's death meant a place in Valhalla. They formed large trading centers in their own lands and in other countries, where they practiced crafts like wood turning, jewelry making, blacksmithing and textile work. Their societies were loosely democratic, and Viking women often had power and status, running estates while the men were gone.
Viking voyages grew less frequent with the introduction of Christianity to Scandinavia in the late 10th and 11th century. The Vikings lost their pagan beliefs as they settled in Christian countries and as Christianity spread into the North. Their societies changed with the medieval world. The age of the Viking was over, but they made a mark never forgotten.
For more information on how you can get a hold of popular Viking collectibles, learn more about Viking History or The Dark Ages, visit The Historical Weapons Store.com
What Made the Viking Culture Different?
The Vikings were a special breed, proud of their differences and often misunderstood. What made the Vikings different from the Anglo-Saxons was their failure to impose their culture on the people they conquered. They were content to rule and prosper, adopting the language and customs of the people they defeated. The different branches of Viking invaders — the Rus, the Normans, the Danes in England, the Norse in Scotland and Ireland — became, after two or three generations, indistinguishable from the folk they conquered. When Danish Vikings invaded and occupied large sections of England, the result was to cement the unity of the Anglo-Saxons against them.
The English accepted the Danelaw in northeastern England. They paid the price; however, over the next century the English gradually incorporated the Danes and merged with them.Their two cultures and languages were similar; hundreds of Old English words were so close to Old Norse that Danish versions supplanted the English ones. When the heathen Vikings converted to Christianity, there remained little to distinguish them from the English. By the time the Danish king Canute became king of England in 1017, the Danelaw and England had become a single culture.
For more information on how you can get a hold of popular Viking collectibles, learn more about Viking History or The Dark Ages, visit The Historical Weapons Store.com
The English accepted the Danelaw in northeastern England. They paid the price; however, over the next century the English gradually incorporated the Danes and merged with them.Their two cultures and languages were similar; hundreds of Old English words were so close to Old Norse that Danish versions supplanted the English ones. When the heathen Vikings converted to Christianity, there remained little to distinguish them from the English. By the time the Danish king Canute became king of England in 1017, the Danelaw and England had become a single culture.
For more information on how you can get a hold of popular Viking collectibles, learn more about Viking History or The Dark Ages, visit The Historical Weapons Store.com
Viking Battle Helmets: Why Did They Choose to Wear Horns?
In the late 19th century, the horned helmet was a feature of the iconic Viking identity and remains so today — and yet not one of the Viking helmets that have been found to have any horns! Folk stories in Sweden contributed to this popular image. It was notably a Swedish academic club for Norse literary studies that mixed the Viking age with earlier Bronze-Age ceremonial Scandinavian helmets that do have horns, to misconstrue the image.
The popular image of the Viking in a horned helmet was spurred too by the costume designs of Richard Wagner’s operas in the mid 1800s based on Teutonic (early Germanic) mythology.
Viking fairs are popular entertainment as well as informative demonstrations of traditions such as leather work, ceramics, weaving, jewelry and cooking. But Viking-themed festivals are anything but recent.
A popular festival on the Shetland Isles, with its spectacular fires and torch lit parades, and its connections to the pagan Viking Yule celebrations of the sun’s return after the winter solstice, was started after the Napoleonic wars. The celebrations became more elaborate over the 19th century. In the late 1800’s the element of disguise and the torchlight parade were introduced. In the 1880s the Viking longship burning appeared and from 1914 the squad of Vikings Jarls (earls) led the procession. Romantic ideas of Viking tradition remain a feature of the event, enjoyed by a 12,000-strong crowd today.
For more information on how you can get a hold of popular Viking collectibles, learn more about Viking History or The Dark Ages, visit The Historical Weapons Store.com
The popular image of the Viking in a horned helmet was spurred too by the costume designs of Richard Wagner’s operas in the mid 1800s based on Teutonic (early Germanic) mythology.
Viking fairs are popular entertainment as well as informative demonstrations of traditions such as leather work, ceramics, weaving, jewelry and cooking. But Viking-themed festivals are anything but recent.
A popular festival on the Shetland Isles, with its spectacular fires and torch lit parades, and its connections to the pagan Viking Yule celebrations of the sun’s return after the winter solstice, was started after the Napoleonic wars. The celebrations became more elaborate over the 19th century. In the late 1800’s the element of disguise and the torchlight parade were introduced. In the 1880s the Viking longship burning appeared and from 1914 the squad of Vikings Jarls (earls) led the procession. Romantic ideas of Viking tradition remain a feature of the event, enjoyed by a 12,000-strong crowd today.
For more information on how you can get a hold of popular Viking collectibles, learn more about Viking History or The Dark Ages, visit The Historical Weapons Store.com
More on The History of the Viking
Even though the Vikings left few accounts of themselves, the tales of their great feats, bloody conquests and heroic explorations has never died. These legends and images have been appropriated at different times and for different purposes. The heroic, pioneering, powerful and courageous Viking was used as an icon and represented a Norse identity. The image of the longboat and horned helmet were exploited both for commercial and political purposes.
The Dark Age highlights those who battled to shape the future, from the warlords whose armies threatened to case the demise of European society, like Alaric, Charles the Hammer, and Clovis; to the men and women who valiantly tended the flames of justice, knowledge, and innovation including Charlemagne, St. Including the Viking’s champions
To the present day the appeal of Vikings is undiminished. They are everywhere in our popular culture — in film, television, advertising, sports, fashion and toys.
For more information on how you can get a hold of popular Viking collectibles, learn more about Viking History or The Dark Ages , visit The Historical Weapons Store.com
The History of Viking Longboats
The famed longboats of the Vikings were so successful as an instrument of raiding and plundering that the Vikings were able to develop a market for a variety of stolen goods. Viking longboats entered the wide water ways, working ever southward, deep into unknown lands. The Vikings would land, and allow Norse warriors to pillage and plunder large parts of Europe. Knowing that after they sailed off, no other vessels were fast or agile enough to catch ever catch them.
Replica boats and voyages are popular undertakings by Viking enthusiasts. One of the first of its kind was a replica of the well-preserved Gokstad ship, which was built and sailed in 1893. It supposedly reached the Newfoundland coast in 27 days and carried on to was is now Chicago where it challenged the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America. Which at the time was being celebrated there at the great World Exposition. The acclaimed performance of the vessel stirred debate about the first European discovery of the Americas. What was the real truth?
For more information on Viking accessories, battle helmets or dark ages history, visit The Historical Weapons Store.com
Replica boats and voyages are popular undertakings by Viking enthusiasts. One of the first of its kind was a replica of the well-preserved Gokstad ship, which was built and sailed in 1893. It supposedly reached the Newfoundland coast in 27 days and carried on to was is now Chicago where it challenged the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America. Which at the time was being celebrated there at the great World Exposition. The acclaimed performance of the vessel stirred debate about the first European discovery of the Americas. What was the real truth?
For more information on Viking accessories, battle helmets or dark ages history, visit The Historical Weapons Store.com
An Introduction to The Viking History
Even though the Vikings left few accounts of themselves, the tales of their great feats, bloody conquests and heroic explorations has never died. These legends and images have been appropriated at different times and for different purposes.
The unification of Norway heralded the age of the Viking conquests. The year 800 is the traditional starting point for the age of the Vikings, and the age of the Viking ran from 800-1050 A.D. It has been debated by the scholars, what gave the Vikings such a good self-confidence that they had no problem to adapt to different styles of warfare or other fighting-styles that they met on their travels.
To the present day the appeal of Vikings is undiminished. They are everywhere in our popular culture — in music, film, television, advertising, sports, fashion and toys. And living history groups revive Viking culture by practicing their crafts and skills.
For more information on how you can get a hold of popular Viking collectibles, learn more about Viking History or The Dark Ages , visit The Historical Weapons Store.com
The unification of Norway heralded the age of the Viking conquests. The year 800 is the traditional starting point for the age of the Vikings, and the age of the Viking ran from 800-1050 A.D. It has been debated by the scholars, what gave the Vikings such a good self-confidence that they had no problem to adapt to different styles of warfare or other fighting-styles that they met on their travels.
To the present day the appeal of Vikings is undiminished. They are everywhere in our popular culture — in music, film, television, advertising, sports, fashion and toys. And living history groups revive Viking culture by practicing their crafts and skills.
For more information on how you can get a hold of popular Viking collectibles, learn more about Viking History or The Dark Ages , visit The Historical Weapons Store.com
Greek Armor and Greek War
The solid bronze, Corinthian style helmet that the average hoplite wore weighed approximately five pounds and covered the head and parts of the face and neck. Because it was not insulated, many men grew beards or long hair, as the Spartans did, in order to provide shock absorbent padding. The solid metal headpieces also provided no ventilation, often times leading to dehydration. The difficulty of wearing the hoplite helmet also gives evidence to the man to dependence found among the phalanx ranks. The burdensome covering allowed for little range of vision and muffled much of the sounds around a man, including any orders from a commander. The isolation in wearing the helmet led to a battle experience largely based on the perception of pressure each man felt from those around him. The hoplite found body protection in his breastplate, a solid bronze, bell-shaped corset weighing thirty to forty pounds.
As with the helmet, ventilation was nonexistent, leading to immediate discomfort and a drenching of sweat. Greaves, thin bronze sheets, were employed to protect the lower legs. The weapon of choice in the head on battles of antiquity was a six to eight foot long spear. The wooden shaft was made of ash or cornel wood, the head of iron, and the butt pike of bronze. Upon the collision with the enemy, the spear would often times break, thus the necessity of having a butt end available. However, this arrangement also endangered those hoplites in the rear ranks, for misdirection or accidental backward thrusts of the spear often led to the injury or death of one's fellow soldier. In the case that the spear was lost or too damaged to use, a short sword was used during hand to hand combat.
This note just scratches the surface of history about the world of Greek Warfare. For more information about Roman and Greek war accessories, interesting history articles and museum replica collectibles, visit The Historical Weapons Store or www. HistoricReplicas.com
As with the helmet, ventilation was nonexistent, leading to immediate discomfort and a drenching of sweat. Greaves, thin bronze sheets, were employed to protect the lower legs. The weapon of choice in the head on battles of antiquity was a six to eight foot long spear. The wooden shaft was made of ash or cornel wood, the head of iron, and the butt pike of bronze. Upon the collision with the enemy, the spear would often times break, thus the necessity of having a butt end available. However, this arrangement also endangered those hoplites in the rear ranks, for misdirection or accidental backward thrusts of the spear often led to the injury or death of one's fellow soldier. In the case that the spear was lost or too damaged to use, a short sword was used during hand to hand combat.
This note just scratches the surface of history about the world of Greek Warfare. For more information about Roman and Greek war accessories, interesting history articles and museum replica collectibles, visit The Historical Weapons Store or www. HistoricReplicas.com
More Battle Helmet Styles: The Roman Gladiator Helmet
Other Historical Styles of Battle Helmets found in Rome and Greece.
Other types of helmets are the Roman Centurion Officer's helmet constructed of 16 gauge polished carbon steel, usually seen with some sort of with neck protector. This helmet is considered the typical mid-first century legionary helmet and it seems to have continued in use on into the early second century AD. Another style is the Roman Trooper’s Helmet. This rugged piece would have been suitable for foot or mounted combat, and this two-tiered helmet was prized by both knights and men-at-arms.
Finally, is the Gladiator Helmet which was designed to immediately intimidate one's opponent. Made of heavy metal, the visor was at times difficult to maneuver could prove to be dangerous to the agile gladiator. To resolve the visors shortcomings the Gladiator helmet features a hard wire cage offering 100% protection from falling dirt or rocks and allows unrestricted peripheral vision. The heavy steel helmet with nose braces and full visors, is the basic helmet that we think of when the word "gladiator" is used.
This is just a basic introduction into the world of Gladiator weaponry. For more information on Roman and Greek war accessories, Battle Helmets and Roman costumes, visit The Historical Weapons Store
Other types of helmets are the Roman Centurion Officer's helmet constructed of 16 gauge polished carbon steel, usually seen with some sort of with neck protector. This helmet is considered the typical mid-first century legionary helmet and it seems to have continued in use on into the early second century AD. Another style is the Roman Trooper’s Helmet. This rugged piece would have been suitable for foot or mounted combat, and this two-tiered helmet was prized by both knights and men-at-arms.
Finally, is the Gladiator Helmet which was designed to immediately intimidate one's opponent. Made of heavy metal, the visor was at times difficult to maneuver could prove to be dangerous to the agile gladiator. To resolve the visors shortcomings the Gladiator helmet features a hard wire cage offering 100% protection from falling dirt or rocks and allows unrestricted peripheral vision. The heavy steel helmet with nose braces and full visors, is the basic helmet that we think of when the word "gladiator" is used.
This is just a basic introduction into the world of Gladiator weaponry. For more information on Roman and Greek war accessories, Battle Helmets and Roman costumes, visit The Historical Weapons Store
The Favorite: Greco Crested Roman Helmet
My particular favorite battle helmet is the Greco Crested Roman Helmet.
The Crested Greco Roman Helmet originally appeared in a more primitive form in Greece around 350 BC, but was most used during Roman Empire. Crested Greco Roman Helmet, or the Centurion Helmet, is a must for any reenactor or collector of fine militaria. Legionnaires, Centurions and Legates found use of this helmet up to 400 AD and varied from plain to decorative.
Although it does not represent any specific helmet, the style appears in many art artifacts through history. Made to be worn afield, the helmet features non-rust construction, adjustable padded liner, padded cheek guards and leather chin strap. The removable horsehair crest enables the helmet to be used for both foot-soldier and officer personae. This helmet is based on an Imperial Gallic legionary helmet of the 1st century AD, with a crest based on artistic representations of similar helmets.
This just scratches the surface of history about the world of Roman and Greek Helmets. For more information about Roman and Greek war accessories, interesting history articles and museum replica collectibles, visit The Historical Weapons Store
The Crested Greco Roman Helmet originally appeared in a more primitive form in Greece around 350 BC, but was most used during Roman Empire. Crested Greco Roman Helmet, or the Centurion Helmet, is a must for any reenactor or collector of fine militaria. Legionnaires, Centurions and Legates found use of this helmet up to 400 AD and varied from plain to decorative.
Although it does not represent any specific helmet, the style appears in many art artifacts through history. Made to be worn afield, the helmet features non-rust construction, adjustable padded liner, padded cheek guards and leather chin strap. The removable horsehair crest enables the helmet to be used for both foot-soldier and officer personae. This helmet is based on an Imperial Gallic legionary helmet of the 1st century AD, with a crest based on artistic representations of similar helmets.
This just scratches the surface of history about the world of Roman and Greek Helmets. For more information about Roman and Greek war accessories, interesting history articles and museum replica collectibles, visit The Historical Weapons Store
Roman and Greek Helmets
There are many different types of roman helmets on the market today. Roman helmet designs vary depending on their use and the great thing with costume helmets is that you can mix and match virtually to your heart’s content. A roman helmet celebrates roman culture and a roman army helmet can have a lot of value as a historical device.
Whichever kind of roman helmet that you yourself are interested in, it is very important to discern which category in which it falls. Doing so will allow you to realize where to look in order to find the roman helmet you want.
This is just a basic introduction to the world of Roman and Greek Helmets. For more information about Roman and Greek war accessories, visit The Historical Weapons Store
Whichever kind of roman helmet that you yourself are interested in, it is very important to discern which category in which it falls. Doing so will allow you to realize where to look in order to find the roman helmet you want.
This is just a basic introduction to the world of Roman and Greek Helmets. For more information about Roman and Greek war accessories, visit The Historical Weapons Store
The Origins of Roman and Greek Helmets
The Origins of Roman Helmets
An ancient roman helmet could be from any part of the roman society, but the point is that it would still be a historical roman helmet and fit into this broader category. The classic Roman helmet, is what we think of as typical, is adorned with a red plume from side to side. This Roman helmet is based on ancient helmets found in Italy.
Years ago, a historian discovered a 3rd-century Roman helmet, showing attachment holes for peak and cross-bracing. Although the entire discovery has thrilled experts, it is the silver Roman helmet that could cause the greatest impact on the way we see early British history. Styled after helmets worn by the Gauls, variations of Roman Helmets were worn by the legions all over the Empire. The Italic "D" Roman helmet may have been used by the famed Praetorian guard (the Emperor's posse) as a sign of distinction and honor. This is probably the flashiest of the Roman helmet styles in history. Originally, roman helmets were influenced by the neighboring Etruscans, people who utilized the "Nasua" type helmets.
Lastly, the Gauls were the peoples who most impacted the design of the Roman helmet hence the popular "Imperial Gallic" type helmets. It is the earliest Roman helmet discovered in which the post-Dacian Wars crossbars were probably part of the original construction, as evidenced by the brass lunate decorations applied between the crossbars.
These paragraphs just scratch the surface of history about the world of Roman and Greek Helmets. For more information about Roman and Greek war accessories, interesting history articles and museum replica collectibles, visit The Historical Weapons Store
An ancient roman helmet could be from any part of the roman society, but the point is that it would still be a historical roman helmet and fit into this broader category. The classic Roman helmet, is what we think of as typical, is adorned with a red plume from side to side. This Roman helmet is based on ancient helmets found in Italy.
Years ago, a historian discovered a 3rd-century Roman helmet, showing attachment holes for peak and cross-bracing. Although the entire discovery has thrilled experts, it is the silver Roman helmet that could cause the greatest impact on the way we see early British history. Styled after helmets worn by the Gauls, variations of Roman Helmets were worn by the legions all over the Empire. The Italic "D" Roman helmet may have been used by the famed Praetorian guard (the Emperor's posse) as a sign of distinction and honor. This is probably the flashiest of the Roman helmet styles in history. Originally, roman helmets were influenced by the neighboring Etruscans, people who utilized the "Nasua" type helmets.
Lastly, the Gauls were the peoples who most impacted the design of the Roman helmet hence the popular "Imperial Gallic" type helmets. It is the earliest Roman helmet discovered in which the post-Dacian Wars crossbars were probably part of the original construction, as evidenced by the brass lunate decorations applied between the crossbars.
These paragraphs just scratch the surface of history about the world of Roman and Greek Helmets. For more information about Roman and Greek war accessories, interesting history articles and museum replica collectibles, visit The Historical Weapons Store
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Why are Pirate Replicas so popular these days?
I believe the increasing popularity of pirate collectibles is largely due to hit movie series ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, and Johnny Depp’s character, Captain Jack Sparrow. These movies have sparked a demand for pirate replicas of all kinds.
Replica pirate flags are popular, as are pirate apparel such as coats, pirate hats and general ‘pirate type’ clothing that is based upon real clothing known to be worn by pirates of the period. All of these reproduction articles are great for holding ‘pirate evenings’ on the beach or barbecues. You can even purchase replica guns of the types described above.
These are true replicas based upon actual weapons belonging to known pirates. Famous pirates include Henry Morgan and L’Ollonaise. However, these pirates were not the swashbuckling heroes of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ that you see on the big screen. For instance, one well-known pirate punishment that is myth is ‘walking the plank’. This is a practice invented by novelists and there are no known records of this happening. You will not find planks among the pirate collectibles available online or anywhere else!
Replica pirate cutlass, scabbard, or collectible pirate costume can be found at Historical Weapons Store. Also learn more about the history of pirates within our Articles Directory.
Replica pirate flags are popular, as are pirate apparel such as coats, pirate hats and general ‘pirate type’ clothing that is based upon real clothing known to be worn by pirates of the period. All of these reproduction articles are great for holding ‘pirate evenings’ on the beach or barbecues. You can even purchase replica guns of the types described above.
These are true replicas based upon actual weapons belonging to known pirates. Famous pirates include Henry Morgan and L’Ollonaise. However, these pirates were not the swashbuckling heroes of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ that you see on the big screen. For instance, one well-known pirate punishment that is myth is ‘walking the plank’. This is a practice invented by novelists and there are no known records of this happening. You will not find planks among the pirate collectibles available online or anywhere else!
Replica pirate cutlass, scabbard, or collectible pirate costume can be found at Historical Weapons Store. Also learn more about the history of pirates within our Articles Directory.
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