Different Types of Knight Helmets: A Complete Guide to Medieval Headgear

The Bascinet with Riveted Chainmail represents the Bascinet at its most complete and battle-ready form. The riveted chainmail aventail (called a camail) attaches directly to the helmet's lower rim, providing seamless protection for the neck, throat, and shoulders — areas left vulnerable by the helmet alone.

This combination was the standard for European knights during the Hundred Years' War and is one of the most historically accurate helmet configurations you can own. Our wearable version is built for LARP combat and serious reenactment use.

• Design: Pointed skull cap with full riveted chainmail aventail
• Protection: Head, neck, throat, and upper shoulders
• Best for: LARP combat, buhurt, historical reenactment, display
• Pairs with: Royal Knight Gauntlets for a full combat look

Inspired by the beloved Solaire of Astora from the Dark Souls universe, this Solaire-Inspired Steel Knight Helmet bridges the gap between authentic medieval craftsmanship and iconic gaming culture. It captures the distinctive winged sun aesthetic while being built from real steel — not plastic or resin.

For fans of the Soulsborne series, this is the ultimate cosplay piece: a wearable, handcrafted steel helmet that looks as good at a gaming convention as it does on a display shelf.

• Design: Medieval close helmet with Solaire sun-wing detailing
• Protection: Full head coverage
• Best for: Dark Souls cosplay, gaming conventions, display
• Also see: Nazgul Witch King Helmet for another fantasy gaming pick

The Tribal Brown Barbuta takes the classic Italian Barbuta silhouette and gives it a rich antique brown patina finish, evoking the weathered look of a battle-worn crusader or Greek centurion. The warm earthy tones make it one of the most visually distinctive helmets in our collection.

It's equally at home as a display piece in a medieval-themed room or as a LARP helmet for players who want a unique, aged aesthetic that stands out from polished silver steel.

• Design: Barbuta T-face opening with antique brown patina finish
• Protection: Cheeks, neck, and skull
• Best for: Display, LARP, Halloween, medieval home décor
• Also see: Brass Finish Barbuta Crusader Helmet

The Barbuta Crusader Helmet in Steel & Brass is a premium variant that combines the classic Barbuta form with decorative brass accents — a nod to both the Italian Renaissance and the ornate armor traditions of the Byzantine and Spartan worlds. The brass trim elevates it from a functional helmet to a true collector's piece.

This helmet is perfect for those who want something that looks as impressive on a wall as it does at a Renaissance fair or LARP event.

• Design: Barbuta with decorative brass trim accents
• Protection: Full skull, cheeks, and neck
• Best for: Display, collectors, Renaissance fairs, LARP
• Also see: Tribal Brown Barbuta for an antique alternative

The Gjermundbu Helmet holds a unique place in history — it is the only complete Viking Age helmet ever found, discovered in a Norwegian burial mound in 1943. Its rounded iron cap with a distinctive spectacle guard (protecting the eyes and nose) is the definitive authentic Viking helmet design.

Our replica comes with a full chainmail aventail and a wooden display base, making it both a wearable LARP piece and a museum-quality display item. If you want the most historically accurate Viking helmet possible, this is it.

• Design: Rounded iron cap with spectacle guard and chainmail aventail
• Protection: Head, eyes, nose, neck
• Best for: Historical reenactment, SCA, LARP, serious collectors
• Comes with: Wooden display base and leather padded lining

The Army Green Barbuta Templar Helmet is a bold, modern take on the classic Barbuta design. The brushed steel surface is treated with an army green finish that gives it a gritty, battle-worn aesthetic — perfect for LARP players and cosplayers who want a distinctive look that breaks from traditional silver or black steel.

The green patina finish also makes it an excellent display piece for those who appreciate unconventional medieval aesthetics and want something truly unique on their shelf.

• Design: Barbuta with brushed army green steel finish
• Protection: Full skull, cheeks, and neck
• Best for: LARP, cosplay, unique display, Halloween costumes
• Also see: Brass Barbuta | Tribal Brown Barbuta

The Lough Henney Helmet is based on a rare Viking Age helmet fragment found in Lough Henney, Northern Ireland — one of the few surviving examples of Viking helmet craftsmanship from the British Isles. Its segmented construction and nasal guard reflect the practical, no-nonsense design philosophy of Norse warriors operating in the Irish Sea region.

Our 16GA steel replica features an antique finish that faithfully recreates the aged patina of the original artifact, making it a standout museum-quality decorative piece and a meaningful gift for history enthusiasts.

• Design: Segmented steel cap with nasal guard, antique finish
• Protection: Head and nose
• Best for: Museum-quality display, collectors, history enthusiasts, gifting
• Also see: Gjermundbu Helmet for another rare Viking replica

This 18GA Steel Vendel Viking Helmet is a slightly lighter-gauge variant of the Vendel design, making it more accessible for extended LARP wear while retaining the full visual impact of the Vendel aesthetic — segmented panels, face guard, and flowing chainmail aventail.

The Vendel period (pre-Viking Age) produced some of the most ornate and prestigious helmets in Scandinavian history, worn exclusively by chieftains and elite warriors. This replica brings that prestige to modern collectors and LARP players.

• Design: Segmented Vendel panels with face guard and chainmail
• Protection: Full head, face, and neck
• Best for: LARP, SCA, Vendel/Viking reenactment, display
• Also see: 16GA Vendel Helmet with Brass Trim

The Norman Helmet with Chainmail is the helmet of William the Conqueror and the Norman knights who changed the course of European history at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Its conical steel cap with nasal guard and chainmail coif (hood) was the dominant helmet design across Western Europe during the early medieval period.

Simple, effective, and historically significant — this helmet represents the transition from Viking Age to full medieval knighthood. Our replica includes a full chainmail drape for authentic neck and shoulder protection.

• Design: Conical cap with nasal guard and chainmail coif
• Protection: Head, nose, neck, and shoulders
• Best for: Norman/Viking LARP, Battle of Hastings reenactment, cosplay
• Also see: Viking Helmet with Chainmail Back

The Burgonet (or Bourguignotte) was the helmet of choice for Renaissance cavalry and infantry officers across Europe in the 16th century. Lighter and more open than the fully enclosed close helmet, it features a distinctive comb crest, cheek guards, and a neck guard — offering good protection while allowing better visibility and ventilation for mounted combat.

The Burgonet bridges the gap between medieval and early modern warfare, and its elegant profile makes it one of the most aesthetically refined helmets ever produced. Our 18GA steel replica is perfect for cosplay, display, and Renaissance fair use.

• Design: Comb crest, open face, cheek guards, neck guard
• Protection: Head, cheeks, and neck — open face
• Best for: Renaissance cosplay, cavalry reenactment, display
• Pairs with: Royal Knight Gauntlets for a Renaissance warrior look