This helmet comes with a mustache.

This is a pic of a helm I did for a friend.  This picture was actually taken while I was revising the design a little.  I submit it here to point out a few things about it's construction, such as the mustache...which is by far my favorite part.

This helm is constructed entirely of 16ga. mild steel.  This is significant because I've noticed a growing trend toward thicker gauges in helmets these days.  As many of you probably know, 16ga. is the bare minimum of thickness when it comes to head protection for most reenactment societies.  There are arguments that mass is a consideration when designing a defense for the head.  I tend to agree.  After all, what we are trying to protect the head from is blunt-force trauma, from what is essentially a club, being swung at speed.  There are many that think 16ga. is too thin and that mild steel dents too easily.  Once again, I tend to agree.  However, keep in mind, wherever the steel overlaps it is twice as thick.  With this being the case, such as in the helm pictured above, I'm now using lighter, cheaper materials and effectively doubling the strength and protection in certain areas.  At least I'm hoping this is the case as this helmet has not been fully tested yet.  (If it turns out not to be the case, I'll be sure to let you know :)  Also keep in mind that any crease or bend you hammer into the metal makes it stronger.

Here's a pic of the helmet I recently constructed for myself.  It's made along the lines of a simple barbuta and, once again, with the laminated 16ga. construction.  I've tried something different with this helm.  You can't really tell by looking at the outside, but I've riveted extra plates to the inside cranial area.

This is a pic of the inside showing the extra plating.  It does make the helm a little heavier but not unbearably so.  You can hardly see them from the outside because I countersunk each of the rivet holes from the outside and ground the protruding rivet shank even with the surface of the helmet after closing them.  The final step is to buff the area around the rivet closure with some 80 grit Satin Glo.

This is what I'm currently experimenting with.  Our first fighter practice of the season should be this Sunday, weather permitting.  I'll let you know how it goes.  I'll leave you this evening with a few more shots of the mustache helm.