Bascinet Helmet

A medieval European open-faced military helmet that evolved from a type of iron or steel skullcap this Bascinet helmet is pointed on top so that a weapon striking from above would be deflected. The top of the helmet is pierced, possibly for a plume which could make a solider look far more imposing on the battle field.   On each side is a round hole for the visor pivot. The holes around the lower edge and the face are for a mail cape and the lining.   The visor would also have had a central point for the same reason. The lining of the skull would have continued under the cape. Many thousands of such helmets were made in the late 14th and early 15th centuries but very few survive today.