This complete cavalry 'sports' helmet, in copper alloy, has several unusual features, not least that it is so complete. Firstly, the front part of the helmet bowl carries two (presumably soldered) strips of copper alloy, with embossed decoration (sometimes called 'reeding'), whilst a third such strip passes over the centre of the crown, from front (where it joins the top horizontal strip) to rear.
Secondly, on the upper front part of the helmet bowl there are two 'eyebrows', somewhat similar to those seen on the Imperial Gallic infantry helmets. These, however, are not raised from the helmet material itself, but are applied decorations. They are also surrounded by a raised border.
Also unusual, the rear of the helmet has three raised ribs in the occipital region - more commonly seen on the infantry helmets. There is also a raised step on the neck guard. Indeed, the helmet has been described as being of the 'Weisenau' type, whilst the mask itself has been allocated to the 'Kalkriese' type.
The cheek guards are articulated in position. At the rear of each guard, there is a representation of an ear. The guards are further decorated with a raised panel. The hinges of the cheek guards are a modern replacement.
References:
Born, H. and Junkelmann, M. (1997) ‘Römische kampf – und Turnierrüstungen’. Sammlung Axel Guttmann VI. (Mainz)
Junkelmann, M. (1996), "Reiter wie Statuen aus Erz", 54-55, Abb.105-8, Cat.no.: O.88
Pyhrr, S.W. and Godoy, J-A, (1998), "Heroic Armour of the Italian Renaissance: Filippo Negroli and his Contemporaries", 87-89
Hanel, N., Peltz, U. & F. Willer, (2000); 'Untersuchungen zu römischen Reiterhelmmasken aus der Germania inferior'. Bonner Jahrbücher, 200, 272
