I was just at Robert MacPherson's shop today, and he decided to make some Pembridge-style great helms. For those of you who have seen it, they'll be just like the one I wear, except that they'll be made out of hardened spring steel, making them incredibly resistant to denting.

Mac will be doing an initial run of six (6) great helms, and they will go on a first come, first served basis at $400.00 each. I do hope that Mac will agree to make more in the future, and I will let you know if and when that happens.

For those of you not familiar with Robert MacPherson (SCA: Maestro Roberto di Milano), he is one of the preeminent armorers in the world today, and his work is seen throughout the high-end living history community and in several museums. These helms are the ultimate in authenticity and function, and are a *must have* for anyone doing a 14th-century impression or anyone who just wants a real treasure of steel sculpture to admire.

All those wishing to purchase a helm or who have any questions should e-mail me privately at < hughk1066@juno.com > ASAP; I expect them to go fast.

{By the way, I couldn't find any restrictions against posting things like this on here, but if it's not premitted, please accept my apologies in advance.)

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No worries about posting - Thank you for posting the information here.

For those of you unaware of Mac's creations, they are indeed amongst the finest armour reproductions in the world today, and he does not stint on historic detail. Like all of the very few 'Master' Armourers (in my estimation), he has a keen eye for detail and shape, and goes to great pains to properly reconstruct an object.

The only armourers I personally use now or would consider using are Robert MacPherson, Jeff Hedgecock, and Erik D. Schmidt (probably the worlds best craftsman of historic riveted mail).

$400 is a steal for a springsteel great helm.

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Originally posted by chef de chambre:
The only armourers I personally use now or would consider using are Robert MacPherson, Jeff Hedgecock, and Erik D. Schmidt (probably the worlds best craftsman of historic riveted mail).

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Is Erik still making mail? His web site doesn't work (or rather, it's just a picture saying "check back later")

Oh, and I would add Tom Justus to that list; I think his repro stuff is among the very best. I constantly tell people I would buy stuff only from Mac, Tom or Jeff.

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Erik is currently working on several elaborate comissions - one is an entire lorica hamata, with very, very fine links. I don't think he is currently soliciting comissions, but he hasn't stopped making mail. I'm on his list in future for some bits (including a rather intense pair of Mail sabaton with gilt brass lozenges of fine mail overlaid).

I know he is very busy, having actually begun his hopefully encyclopedic cataloging of mail in private & public collections - he just got back from a cataloging trip to Europe.

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Mac cut the helms out today and I punched about 10 million holes while he did the hammer thing. Tomorrow I finish punching holes and Mac finishes shaping, then we plan to start heat treating on Monday. So, as you can see, these helms are coming along very fast; we expect it will only be two weeks total until they're finished.

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Steve

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Originally posted by mailleman:
Are any of these still available?

Steve

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Hi Steve,

Sorry, but no. They sold out within 48 hours of my posting this. I would offer to put you on the waiting list in case someone can't pay for his helm, but there are three people ther alread, and I sincerely hope we don't have three folk's finances fall through.

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