This Combed Morion helm is crafted from 16 gauge steel and is both riveted and welded in its construction. It is fitted with segmented cheek plates of riveted steel with a leather backing. The backing extends to double as a chin-strap with a brass buckle for closure.
The interior of the helm is lined with a leather suspension to both cushion and fit the helm to the head – it can be adjusted to fit with its integrated leather cord. The interior of the helm is blackened to resist rusting. The helm is completed with a removeable plume of feathers that fit into a cylindrical slot on the helm.
While the Morion of the mid-16th to early 17th centuries was popular in Spain, it was also quite a well-liked helm in England and it had a close relative, the Cabasset, which was prominent in both Italy and England. It likely is an evolution of the earlier kettle helms and was a favored helm for pikemen as it gave very good protection whilst leaving the sight and hearing of its wearer unobstructed and ready to respond to coordinated orders necessary to keep a regiment of pike in fighting formation. For these same reasons it was also a common helm for cavalrymen of the period as well.
Although it may appear like an overly ostentatious helmet, the Morion is actually highly practical. Like the earlier kettle helm, the Morion has a fairly wide brim which not only obstructs lateral strikes to the head, but also gives a large deflective space of protection from arrows and crossbow bolts that arc down to its wearer.
The tall comb of the Morion not only increases the height of its wearer which may intimidate some foes, but it provides an excellent defense from strikes which strike the top of the helm. The wide comb not only absorbs much impact force, but also dissipates it along the helm, lessening the overall impact of a strike by not allowing force to concentrate at a single point close to the head of the man within.
In this respect both the brim and the comb of the Morion work on the same principle of forcing initial contact with an incoming strike from both lateral and vertical attacking angles to a contact point as far from the head as possible and then dissipating this force with its wide surfaces that both work to absorb and deflect the force of that strike.
The Morion is still worn by the Swiss Guard of the Vatican when in full parade dress with their halberds and plate armor.
Orion –
Great Helmet This helmet looks awesome and feels very sturdy. The only issue I have is sometimes my head slide slightly off where the liner is and makes contact with the rather unfriendly steel. I think this is something that one can learn to avoid through experimenting with positioning.
Orion –
Great Helmet This helmet looks awesome and feels very sturdy. The only issue I have is sometimes my head slide slightly off where the liner is and makes contact with the rather unfriendly steel. I think this is something that one can learn to avoid through experimenting with positioning.