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Photos show the boarding helmet prior to stain and finish.
There is one surviving cap out of Portsmouth E. made entirely of leather without metal fittings. This one is styled after that, but with the leather earpieces like the one at Fort McHenry National Memorial in Baltimore, MD. Note, this shows a buckle to secure rather than tying. Also available are the usual double Dee ring arrangement common in helmets from 500 BC through to date.
These helmets are made of 14 oz (approximately 1/4" thick) Oak tanned carving leathers used for Armoring and Shields. rather than the traditional latigo leather**
Includes soft leather sweatband liner and suspension with drawstring adjustment or 4 point adjustment as seen in the photo.
One shown was too big for me, but the customer loved it. It's now well oiled and a dark brown/black to simulate the latigo, as it would have been made aboard ship.
The band across the top and the cornered section at the ears is made of leather to simulate the forged metal pieces which would protect the wearer.
Finished as described. $350.00
*Gilkerson, William, 'Boarders Away, Volume I,' Mowbray Inc.1991, ISBN-10: 0917218507
**Traditional latigo leather was vegetable tanned leather, which was then oiled for preservation. This process was applied to the entire hide. Modern latigo can be made the same way, or of chrome tanned hides. I do not use chrome tanned leather.
Note, these helmets weigh 3 to 5 pounds each. This is a lot of weight to put on top of a head and neck. Therefore, they are not recommended for use by those under 12 years of age or under 5' in stature.
DO NOT use this cap in full combat practice without taking modern safety precautions.
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