The finish isn't as clean as I would have liked, but I think I just need some more practice.

I'll see if I can get some more pictures soon.

[ 09-25-2001: Message edited by: Michael ]

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Michael Shedden

Welcome to FireStryker! Wow! Very nice work. I had followed your posts regarding the making of this helmet on AA, and I must say I admire your effort to make a proper sallet.

I do not qualify as an armourer, but I think I can give you some helpful hints as to what to look at when you are making your next one. From the sallet being a deep one without visor but a sight cut into the brim I would surmise that this is a German sallet stylisticaly.

I know you were going for a longer tail but ran out of metal from the initial cutting of the plate you raised this from, the longer tail being a mark of a German sallet. Most German sallets I have seen have a bulge at the top of the skull as you look at it face on - a swell on either side, with the side curving in slightly underneath it, to swell slightly out again at the base of the sallet (usually not as far as the skull bulge, but this may be the mark of post 1450 sallets - German harness is not my primary area of study regarding armour - Jeff & others more knowledgeable can correct me if I err.)

Another point is the side view of the sallet, many extant examples at the back base of the skull come either straight down at a slight angle to the front, or again have a bulge before swelling out to the long tail. I only post this as observations regarding extant examples I have seen - not a critisisim of your work (it is far beyond my capabilities, and more than credible). I only hope to encourage your pursuit of the art, as there are far too few armourers who make the leap you are making now. I consider raising the mark of a master armourer. Jeff has told me often before that developing an "eye" for the subtlety of shape being one of the most difficult skills to master.

I am very glad to see an armourer developing the solid skills of the art, and working toward the goal of mastery. My hat is off to you, I am encouraged by your efforts.

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Thank you for the comments, they are greatly appreciated.

This sallet is indeed based off a surviving German example. I was asked to copy a helm pictured in AAMK. Unfortunately there is only a side view of it, so any "true" reproduction was impossible. Much of the shaping was just speculation.

The "swelled at the top" look is something I was trying to create, but didn't quite manage. I repeatedly thought that I had shaped the bowl enough, but when I would work the lower areas of the helm, it would "undo" some of my work. In the end I didn't quite achieve the shape I wanted. Next time will be better

I'm always willing to hear constructive criticism. I've continually been hampered by lack of available research material. Rest assured, I have spent hours studying the pictures I do have.

Once again, thank you for the comments/encouragement.

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Michael Shedden