POLISH CAVALRY HELMET, ZISCHAGGE, LATE 17th CENTURY

This helmet is from a group of which examples only rarely are encountered. It is made for hussar service employing subtle variations from the typical "North European" lobster tail. The skull is made of eleven spirally overlapping plates secured to a base band and tacked top plates with no connections between, which allow the entire skull to compress to absorb a blow. The visor and neck plates are slightly thinner than the conventional for. No nasal bar is provided and the cheek pieces are riveted directly to the skull base indicating that the single plates are as made and never extended. Likely, the liner had leather cheek protection above chin strap. The scalloped plate edges are typical of Polish armor as well. The construction throughout suggests response to the Ottoman method of fighting which favored the war hammer and fast agile maneuvers. It may have served at the Siege of Vienna in 1683, where the Polish under King John Sobieski provided the relief that turned the battle and routed the Turks. This example is distinguished by its preservation with significant original tinned finish remaining.