This Bascinet Helm is crafted from 16 gauge steel and is lined entirely on the interior with padded liner of durable canvas cotton cloth. An integrated chin strap of leather with an adjustable brass buckle secures the helmet to the head. Round brass vervelles line the side and back of the helm and these allow for an aventail to be mounted, laced and secured to the helmet for even greater overall protection (Aventail not included). An overwhelmingly popular helmet for its time, the Bascinet was a common sight on medieval warriors from the 14th century and well into the first half of the 15th century. Knights and men-at-arms alike bore the iconic bascinet into battle as its deceptively simple form brought several notable innovations over the simpler helmets it descended from. The lengthened sides afforded improved protection to the sides of the face and its raised and curved peak ably deflected and dissipated concussive impact strikes on the top of the head. This raised peak also ensured that the point at where a blow connects to the helmet was as far away from the skull as could be afforded. Basinets such as these were often paired with an encompassing aventail to complete the protection for the neck and collar. Though it became common to wear visor-equipped variants in later years the versatility of the open-faced bascinet is demonstrated in its common depiction in medieval art, illustration and tomb effigies.
