This helmet was included in the Lord Howard de Walden collection, bequeathed to the National Museum of Wales under the terms of de Walden's will.
The most unusual feature about this helmet is that, with the exception of the proper left hand ear guard, it is made from almost pure copper sheet (there being only traces of arsenic, silver and lead). The proper left hand ear guard is made from leaded brass, with about 10% zinc and 10% lead. Although the choice of copper is unusual, it is not unprecedented, as the Ribchester cavalry parade helmet in the British Museum is similarly made from copper.
The patina is constant throughout the piece, consisting of hydrated basic chlorides and sulphates of copper, indicating that no pieces have been added at a later date.
The crown of the helmet appears to have been made by hammering the copper sheet into a depression ('sinking'). It is also clear that the crown of the helmet and the neck guard were fashioned from a single sheet.
Analysis shows that the cheek guards were cast and were not subsequently re-worked. Analysis also showed that the cheek guards were probably made from the same batch of metal as the helmet itself as they appear to have the same trace metal impurities.
The helmet has been badly damaged in antiquity, distorting the shape and displacing the reinforcing peak at the front. It is not considered by the Museum to be possible that this damage was done whilst the helmet was being worn.
Photos (c) Dr. Mike Thomas by permission of the National Museum of Wales. (Permission is granted for this sole purpose)
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