Italian Barbut Helmet
Age: 1470
Maker: DeBovis family?
Materials: Iron
Construction: Forged Iron
Description: The face of this one piece helmet is marked by the T-shaped opening to allow for vision.A similar helmet in the British Museum listed as Barbuta<br Barbutes had either an open arch for a face opening or a "T"-shaped opening such as this one (which resembled the classical Greek Corinthian helmets when the horizontal visor slit was oval shaped on each side). The "T"-shape was discontinued c. 1470.
Size: H. 11.5x W. 8.75x D. 11.5"
Weight: 4.0lbs
Condition: Four tiny wear holes, deterioration to leather head liner about 50%, two old reinforcements(one circular 3/4" and one riveted plate at the fore medial ridge very well done, difficult to ascertain if this is original or later), leather chin strap missing but studs remain. Overall excellent especially considering the age and rarity. All is original and remains intact. Meta: armor, medieval, arms
History: The defining characteristic of the barbute is the fact that the shape of the helmet extends all the way down to cover both sides of the face. Regardless of the type of opening—which could be T-shaped, Y-shaped or arch-shaped, this characteristic is practically always present. This made the wearing of a gorget optional. In place of a plate gorget the barbute would have often been worn with a stiffened mail collar, termed a "standard," which protected the throat and neck. On some examples, there is a central, narrow protrusion extending down from the top of the opening, designed to protect the wearer's nose. Sometimes, like Italian sallets, barbutes were covered by a rich decorative fabric, most typically heavy velvet.Unlike the sallet the barbute seems to have enjoyed little popularity outside Italy.The main differences between the barbute and the Greek hoplite's helm to which it is often compared are the difference in material (Ancient Greeks used bronze) and the lack of a prominent decorative crest.Barbutes were made mostly from a single sheet of steel using the metal smithing process of raising until the piece assumed the desired shape. Often a low ridged crest was forged into the top of the helmet's skull which served to strengthen the helmet without adding a significant amount of weight.