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REAL GEAR

Examples of actual Roman military equipment

Part II: Weapons, Shield Parts, Body Armor                 Part III: Belt Parts, Accessories

Legio VI's T. Flavius Crispus (Dave Michaels) has the good fortune to be both a dealer and collector of actual Roman coins and artifacts. He also has access to pieces from many important collections, and regularly visits important museums in Europe. He also maintains his own collection of Roman military belt parts and other military "doodads." These Real Gear pages are offered to the general public so that historians, scholars, archaeologist, reenactors and anyone with an interest in military history can have access to images of examples of ancient military gear from private and public collections the world over.

The Axel Guttmann Collection: In 2003, Flavius had the distinct privilege of examining a large portion of the Axel Guttmann Collection of Roman military equipment up close and personal. This was thanks to the kind invitation of Julian Dendy, AKA M. Antonius Celer of Britain's Legio XIIII Roman Military Research Society, who also happens to be a specialist in ancient militaria for Christie's on South Kensington Street in London, where the collection was auctioned on April 28, 2004. Many examples of equipment on this and following pages are from this truly awe-inspiring collection.

PART I: HELMETS

Julian Dendy, aka Marcus Antonius Celer of Legio XIIII, my guide in the wonders of the Guttmann Collection.

Montefortino helmet of the Republic, front view.

Montefortino from the left.

Top view of Montefortino.

Oblique view of crest knob on Montefortino.

Imperial Gallic A helmet, from front. The helmet is not iron, but tinned or silvered bronze, which accounts for its remarkable preservation!

Gallic A from left. The cheek pieces are modern reconstructions.

Gallic A from right.

Gallic A from above.

Inside of Gallic A helmet, showing hammer marks.

Imperial Gallic I (Mainz type) helmet from front.

Imperial Gallic I (Mainz type) from back.

Left side view of Gallic I.

Right side view of Gallic I.

Top of Gallic I, showing attachment point for circular crest mount.

Inside of Gallic I. The metal is orichalcum, similar to brass.

Front view of Imperial Gallic G/H variant, with "sad" eyebrows. Note the complex crest mount!

Back view of Gallic variant.

Gallic variant from right side.

Gallic variant from left.

Top of Gallic variant, showing elaborate crest mount.

Oblique view of Imperial Italic H (Niedermörmter type) helmet, perhaps the finest Roman helmet in existance. The construction is iron with elaborate brass and copper appliques.

Front view of the Italic H. The peak is not quite straight, apparently a feature of the original construction.

Italic H from left. Christie's estimate on this magnificent helmet is 500,000 pounds!

Right side of the Niedermörmter. What a beauty!

Rear view of Italic H. Note the crisp ridges at the nape and the brass inlays in the iron skull on either side of the cross brace.

Close up of left inlay-- a bread loaf, and a mouse! The Christie's catalog says the mouse-loaf motif has been found on Praetorian tombstones, indicating this fine helmet may have belonged to a Praetorian guardsman.

Right inlay, same as the left. Julian Dendy says the "bubbled" surface of the iron may mean the surface was originally forge-blackened, which may account for its survival in a virtually pristine state.

Top view of the Italic H. Note the ring, probably for a horsehair "tail," on the central boss.

From above-rear. The openwork brow peak is quite evident, and a marvel of workmanship.

Close-up of the underside of the openwork helmet peak.

Detail view of the unusual "skull ring" around the back of the neck opening. This is the only known helmet to have this feature. Its purpose is unknown.

Julian wearing the Italic H helmet. Sadly, it wouldn't fit my big noggin!

Close up of the owner's name dotted into the neck guard: IVLI MANSVETI -- Julius Mansuetius, Mansuetus or Mansuetianus

 

Italic C variant, front view. Christie's catalog identifies this as a Coolus, but it seems to conform more closely to Robinson's Italic C, save for the crest knob.

Italic C variant, right.

Italic C variant, left.

Italic C variant, back.

Top of Italic C variant. Note Coolus-type crest knob. Christie's points out that the transverse slot indicates the helmet may have belonged to a centurion.

Mask from a full-face, "cavalry sports" helmet.

Inside of "cavalry sports" mask.

Winged Phrygian helmet, 3/4 front view.

Winged Phrygian, left.

Winged Phrygian, right. This resembles the winged helmet worn by the goddess Roma on many Roman Republican coins of the 2nd century BC.

Winged Phrygian, back.

Close-up of bronze wings.

Embossed cheek piece, winged Phrygian helmet. The goddess appears to be Diana.

Front of elaborate cavalry helmet. Material appears to be silvered or tinned bronze.

Right side of cavalry helmet.

Left side of cavalry helmet.

Top of cavalry helmet.

Rear view of cavalry helmet, showing embossed eagle.

Half of Intercisa-type helmet, 4th-5th century AD. Made of iron with traces of gilding remaining.

Close-up of interior of Intercisa helmet.

Not from Guttmann Collection: Rear view of 3rd-century infantry or cavalry helmet, bronze.

Profile view of 3rd-century Roman helmet, showing attachment holes for peak and cross-bracing.

Mask from so-called "parade" or "cavalry sports" helmet, early 1st century AD. Similar to type found at Kalkriese. Private collection.

Cheek pieces to previous facemask helmet. Private collection.

Interior of face mask. The mask is carefully made of a layered construction, with bronze overlaid on and iron core.

Side view of face mask.

Top of elaborately embossed parade helmet, probably originally fitted with face mask. Mid-1st-2nd century AD. Private collection.