1958 Frog Mouth Helm

1958) A FROG MOUTH HELM (STECHHELM) IN THE TASTE OF CIRCA 1400:

Introduction: This is a masterful helmet made during the early Victorian period and displayed in a church. Arms and Armor reproductions made during this period exhibit age and old-school workmanship; they can be very convincing. Many collectors, dealers, and auction houses cannot tell them apart from authentic period pieces.

The Victorian period (UK) spanned from 1837 to 1901; during this time, the collecting of Arms and Armor was revitalized in the United Kingdom. Historismus is the German version of the Victorian period. The Historismus period (Germany) is a similar period in Germany (and surrounding countries) that was widespread in the 1800s and in the early 1900s. Historismus’s highest interest was around 1850, slightly before the Victorian era. During the Victorian and Historismus periods, the wealthy collected Arms and Armor.

Collecting was fashionable, but there weren’t enough actual period Arms and Armor pieces to satisfy demand, and when they were available, they were expensive. Price and scarcity drove demand, and as a result, many exceptional reproduction pieces were made, and many were so well executed that they were sold as actual period pieces.

Discussion: By circa 1400, a new helmet was developed in Germany called “frog-mouth” (stechhelm). By 1420, this style had become the helm of choice for the knowledgeable knight. It was used for a specific form of tournament joust called Gestech, or the German joust. The Gestech was fought with blunted lances. The objective was to break lances in a spectacular fashion or to unhorse your opponent to the ground, but not for warfare.

Approximate dimensions: 15X14X9 inches.

Condition: Good, with some wear and dings commensurate with its age.

Provenance: Almost certainly made in Germany or Austria in the early 1800s and, by tradition, used as a church display for over 100 years.

Conclusion: A real stechhelm is seldom available in the collectors’ market. When they finally do, they are exceptionally expensive, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars! Victorian Arms and Armor were meticulously crafted by skilled old-world craftsmen from 1837 to 1901. Now, after over 100 years, these pieces have aged, were made with very good old-school workmanship, and, for many collectors and even some experts, are difficult to distinguish from genuine Renaissance and Medieval-period Arms and Armor.

This Victorian reproduction is an amazing copy. If you ever wanted one and don’t have the patience or massive bank account to acquire one, this is your only reasonable option.

Priced to sell today for a pittance of a real one!!!*

The owner wants the bascinet sold immediately, so don’t hesitate, it’s priced to sell today!

Please contact me for the best available price.

I believe you will be very pleased. ACT-NOW, this one will sell, and I don’t want you to be disappointed.!!!*

All my items come with the following:

–Free shipping.

–10-day review period.

–Certificate of Authenticity.

–Autographed copy of my book.

– In the event of an international shipment, we will help assign the lowest correct Customs tariff so you pay the least.

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