So you want a Rapier Helm / Helmet?

There are many reasons for a helm. Maybe you want something that clashes less with your garb. Maybe you want something more appropriate to the the period that you re-enact. Or you don't care what it looks like, you just need to cover the back of your head for SCA Cut & Thrust or WMA. Or all of the above.

Whatever your reason, it can be difficult to find a Rapier Helm. Fencing Masks are easy, any Olympic fencing website carries them and they cost next to nothing. Rapier helms aren't as widely used as Heavy/Chivalric Helms so there isn't as large a market, and hence a smaller supply. Fortunately there are a few people making/modifying helms for fencing and selling them. Of course you could just modify one yourself *grin*.

So what kind of helms work best for fencing rapier, Cut & Thrust or WMA sparring?

• Burgonet
• Lobstertail Helmet
• Zischagge
• Combed Morion
• Close Helm

• Darkwood Armory now carries stainless "Longsword Trainer Helmets"
• Windrose Armory carries a variety of helms & sizes
• Marco Borromei sells modified helmets imported from India
• Ice Falcon Armory sells 2 styles
• That Guy, Terry Tindell sells completely non-period perf plate helms
• Armory World, in the Ukraine
• Zen Warrior sells both a helm and a back of the head add on for a fencing mask
• Black Diamond Metal Arts
• Illusion Armor
• Talk to a local armorer, they're probably willing to do custom work. But dont expect it to cost less than their heavy helms, and probably more.

• So, You want to make a Rapier Helm?
• The Helmet Project (Old, last updated in 2003)
• Strapping Helms in a Historical Manner By D. A. Biggs
• How to Make Horse Hair Helm Padding
• I modified one of these myself, it comes with two removable faceplates and it was fairly straightforward to replace the center of the solid one with perf

• A Hardened Leather Rapier Helm add-on
• The Welding Mask Mod a cheap and easy mod for Cut & Thrust / WMA