Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 4).djvu/147



German, Saxon work, about 1560. From the suit in the Imperial Armoury, Vienna, No. 655, made for the Emperor Maximilian II. Wallace Collection (Laking Catalogue, No. 667)

Christie's. A different type of close helmet of this same period—the third quarter of the XVIth century—but of the Saxon order, may be seen in the Wallace Collection, No. 667 (Fig. 1205). This is a helmet made exclusively for tilting purposes and is in consequence of heavy make, turning the scale at over 10 lb. The ocularia are narrow and set back at a distance of 1-5/8 inches from the contour of the visor and mezeil, which are in one piece, the latter being pierced with ten upright slits for breathing purposes. The lower edge of the helmet is hollowed to a roping to fit the top plate of the gorget; but it has also three extra plates which are attached by three screws and form a species of gorget plate. An extra tilting piece attached by two screws reinforces the entire upper portion of the left-hand side of the helmet, which in a "course" was the most vulnerable and exposed