War Hat

LAST CHANCE

This item can not be ordered at this time. It has been discontinued and can only be found through external links to our website.

Called by many names, chapel de fer, war hat or kettle hat, the broad brimmed, open face helmet was the most popular of all helmets for fighting on foot. Its date of origin is uncertain, but we do know that both the Vikings and the Gauls wore helmets of this style; it stayed in use until the 17th C. Indeed, it could be said that it stayed popular during the 20 C. Bashford Dean, who designed the British infantry helmet, based his design on the war hat! The broad brim shields blows from hand weapons, as well as offering a fair amount of protection from missiles coming from above. Although it did leave the face vulnerable, many preferred the vision and access to air to the protection offered by helmets that covered the face. This version is based on several existing types and is 16 gauge steel. An important helmet in the development of armor. Leather lined.