Discussion: Arms or armor that are homogeneous means the item is as original today as the day it was made by the original armorer. The odds of having a burgonet still with its removable original buff are exceptionally rare. In fact, the burgonet with buff under discussion is the only one I have had in 35 years!!!   This burgonet and buff have been kept together for four hundred years during times of turbulence, war, apathy towards Arms and Armor, famine, and in a non-climate-controlled environment. This is truly a rare occurrence and a unique opportunity for the collector who only wants the best and the rarest.

In my opinion, the burgonet, along with a buff (see below) is the finest defensive helmet. The burgonet, sometimes called the Burgundian sallet, largely replaced the sallet in the 16th century. The burgonet is more of an early Renaissance helmet than a Medieval helmet. It looks more like a classical helmet than the direct descendant of the sallet. The burgonet was used primarily by the light cavalry and infantry. Little is known about the burgonet‚ development other than it was mutually developed (parallel development) by both Germany and Italy from the sallet. While the burgonet was preferred by the Germans over the morion, the Italians preferred the morion over the burgonet. In its infancy in France, the burgonet was called celada borgonona or ‚Burgundian sallet.In Spain, it was called salade a la Bourgogne (the same translation). The burgonet is a tight-fitting, open-faced helmet with a comb and hemispherical shape, a visor peak to protect the wearer‚ face, and a similar curved plate at the back of the neck. Hinged plates are found on some burgonets to protect the wearer‚ cheeks. Combs, or a decorative ridge from brow to neck, were common. The comb helped to reinforce the helmet and offered a space for embellishment for the armor of wealthy or noble soldiers. Other decorations, like rolled or embellished edges, were also common.

As early as 1520, many burgonets were equipped with a bevor, also known as a buff or buffe. The bevor/buff was designed to protect the face. On the bottom of the bevor/buff was a  gorget to protect the neck. Most bevors were attached to the burgonet by: (1) A leather strap with a buckle was situated around the lower curvature towards the bottom or edge. (2) Hasps on each side. (3) On Greenwich armor, two lugs are secured to the hasps. (4) Some German bevors at the bottom are attached using catches and pins to the breastplate. Bevors/buffs, in general, were constructed of articulated lames held in place by lugs attached to one another. – A falling bevor/buff permitted the knight to have fresh air by slightly lowering the overlapping lames it was constructed with.

Arms or armor that are homogeneous means the item is as original today as the day it was made by the original armorer. The odds of having a burgonet still with its removable original buff are very rare. In fact, the one under discussion is the only one I have had in 35 years!!!   The burgonet and buff have been kept together for four hundred years during times of turbulence, war, apathy towards Arms and Armor, famine, and in a non-climate-controlled environment. This is truly a rare occurrence.

Construction: Massive conical skull of thick black low carbon steel from the hammer finish with a visor of a pointed peak at the front and pointed peak neck defense, a  hooked finial at its apex, two cheek protectors with auditory holes held to the skull by hinges, decorated with roped inward turns at the edges with ogee molding en-suite,  massive plumb holder, brass lining rivets with rosette washers over the visor, cheek pieces, and neck defense, three lamed buff with lower fourth neck defense held to the burgonet by hooks pressuring stationary rivet heads, top lame with 15 breath holes.

Provenance: From a Noble Italian collection.  Imagine walking into a Villa in Southern Italy and seeing a room full of arms and armor from the same family for over 400 years!  This helmet is 100% original as the day it was made. You can now be the second permanent owner in over 400 years!

Conclusion:  This is probably the only homogeneous burgonet with buff I will ever have, or that will be offered to you. If you have an eye for the rare and highly sought-after, I urge you to contact me as soon as possible; this gem will not last very long especially since it is priced to sell immediately!!!*

Contact Me To Get The Latest Lowest Price Possible From The Owner*