Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 4).djvu/136

 Look at the two close helmets which we now represent (Figs. 1191 and 1192). Both, apart from slight variations, are constructed in the same fashion, have visor and mezeil made on the same principle, and chin-pieces opening down the side, and both originally possessed gorget plates, which are now missing. In the shapeliness of their skull-pieces we have a faint reminder of the Maximilian helmet. They may be accepted as German and of the middle of the XVIth century.

German, probably Nuremberg, 1550-60 Collection: Mr. S. J. Whawell

German, about 1550-60 Collection: Mr. S. J. Whawell

In the helmet No. 278 of the Wallace Collection (Fig. 1193), is to be seen a close head-piece fashioned on the principle of the last two mentioned, but influenced by the school of Kolman of Augsburg, if not the actual work of Desiderius Kolman. The skull-piece is of graceful keel-*shaped form, finishing in a low roped comb. The chin-piece opens down the front, and is hinged below the pivots of the visor and bevor. The visor has two oblong apertures forming the ocularia, the top edge is chamfered and escallop-shaped. The mezeil, held in position by spring catches, is pierced on either side with apertures for ventilation; while the lower edge of the helmet is formed to a hollow roping, fitting to the top plate of the gorget. At the back of the skull is a small fluted rondel, a curious survival of the fashion followed by the armets of the XVth century. On the right chin-piece is hinged a bar for upholding the mezeil when raised. The whole helmet is