Houndskull Bascinet | Knight’s Helmet ca. 1395 | C45 Steel 2 mm
This helmet is a faithful replica of a late medieval houndskull bascinet (Hundsgugel / Houndskull), based on an original preserved in the armoury of Churburg Castle (Castel Coira) in South Tyrol, Italy. The original piece is dated to around 1395.
The houndskull bascinet was one of the most popular knightly helmets in Europe from the late 14th to the early 15th century (until around 1420). Its distinctive visor with a protruding “muzzle” was not merely decorative – this shape effectively deflected blows and improved ventilation, which was crucial in combat. It is precisely this form that gave the helmet its name – “houndskull”.
The presented model features a movable visor, secured with pins, reflecting historical solutions used in battle helmets of the period. Along the edges of the helmet are vervelles – small steel rivets with holes, allowing the attachment of a mail aventail, which was standard equipment for late medieval knights.
This type of bascinet was worn by both knights and heavily armoured infantry on battlefields across Europe. Today, it is one of the most recognizable and iconic helmets of the late Middle Ages, associated with the elite of medieval knighthood and the peak development of plate armour.
The Churburg houndskull bascinet combines functionality, historical authenticity and timeless form, inspired by one of the finest surviving examples of late medieval armour.
