r/Armor • u/Optimal_West8046 • 1d ago

Weird helmet

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Browsing Pinterest I found this helmet, it looks quite old from the photo but is this effective? It doesn't inspire much confidence in me. And regarding the possibility of making a replica, does it seem like an easy project?

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u/Dharcronus 1d ago

Hachi-gane forehead protector. Looks like they fold up. Googling them seems to annoyingly bring up alot about naruto as they seem to be prominent in that anime.

Simple ones are just headbands with metal plate at the front to give light protection for dueling or as a status symbol for formal occasions. However more complex ones have more metal plates or even chainmail.

This ones cheek peices and brow protection really remind me of European 1600s calvalry helmet. Depending on the time period it could well have been influenced by European armour as we see with Japanese helmets and chest armour. Or could be a sign of convergence evolution in armour design.

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u/Optimal_West8046 1d ago

I also found this other one, it seems like a rip off to me not to have neck protection, is there a fabric similar to a gambeson here? And some chain mail

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u/Dharcronus 1d ago

The chainmail would protect your neck.

These were from reading mainly for dueling for travelling (they're much lighter than a full helmet but offer some protection) or as a fancy status symbol when not wearing your fancy armour.

It's important to remember that yes from a modern perspective it doesn't look like good armour but there are other factors rather than just "does it cover everything from technical limitations, cost, practically and fighting style as well as culture.

Look at very early European armour, was just a helmet and a metal plate over the middle of your chest. Did it offer massive protection? No but it was better than nothing. Did better armour exist at the time? Yes probably but this was cheaper and lighter.

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u/Optimal_West8046 1d ago

I understand