Introduction: Massive, of siege weight, almost 12 LBS!  It appears as original as the date it was made! Original black hammer finish, original lining/leathers (working life). Seldom do helmets make it into the collectors market such as this one.

Discussion: The zischägge is also known as a lobstertail.   The Zischagge has an interesting story.   Under the leadership of Suleiman the Magnificent, the Turkish invasion to conquer Europe reached the gates of Vienna in 1529.  Many Europeans were somewhat dismayed by the grandeur of Turkish Arms and Armor. A particular standout was the effectiveness of the light Turkish cavalry, with their curved swords, against the heavily armored European lancers.

Soon, Europeans developed a taste for the esoteric Turkish armor at parades, social events, and tournaments. The Ottoman fashion was in vogue by the mid-16th century. The Hapsburg courts in Vienna and Prague succumbed to the Turkish craze.  Zischägge is a German derivative of the Turkish word “Chichak” or “Shishaks” (see page 191 in my book). As early as 1550, German armorers in Nuremberg and Augsburg began producing exact copies for the South German light cavalry.

Description: Constructed with a one-piece hemispherical skull with a proof mark at the rear, the apex with a looped finial and 12 sided star shaped brass washer at its apex a ring-shaped finial, at its brow with a flat blunt pointed peak, and at its nape a flaring, blunt, pointed neck guard of five lames the lowest with an obtuse point, and at each side, a shield-shaped cheekpiece with hemispherical rivet heads and insisted lines as decoration. It has been suggested that the sliding nasal bar could be later, as is very common on this type of helmet. I disagree. The workmanship is as superb on the nasal as is on the helmet itself. I have never seen a replaced nasal of this superb construction, decoration, and quality. Height approximately 15.20 inches.