Pompeii gladius and scabbard.

Close-up of Pompeii gladius, showing owners' names: C. Valer[i] Pr[imi] / C.Valeri[i] Pri[mi]" and "C. Valeri[i] P[rimi] C. Raniu[s]/C. Vale[ri] Pri[i].

Tip of Pompeii gladius, showing raised "mail opener" spine.

Side view of Pompeii gladius point.

Lockett of the Pompeii scabbard, showing pierced decoration.

Chape pf Pompeii gladius scabbard.

At right, replica of Pompeii gladius. To right, authentic dolabra head and cover.

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.

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

Montefortino helmet of the Republic, front view.

Montefortino from the left.

Top view of Montefortino.

Oblique view of crest knob on Montefortino.

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.

Two swords, dagger, and lorica segmentata fragments.

Close up of shoulder section fragment, Corbridge lorica segmentata.

Girth hoop fragment, Corbridge lorica sgmentata.

Elaborate shield boss.

Decorated shield boss.

Three strigils, used for personal hygeine and probably a standard part of every Roman soldier's kit.

Eight phalarae, mostly from separate finds.

Two openwork phalarae.

Muscle cuirass, overall view. Made of bronze or brass overall, with nipples of inlaid silver.

Oblique view of breastplate.

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

Close-up of interior of Intercisa helmet.

Fittings for interior of Greek hoplon shield.

Italic triple-disc cuirass, 3th-3rd century BC. Most often identified with the Samnites.

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

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

Not from Guttmann collection: Roman greave, probably second-third century AD. Found in Balkans region.

Underside of greave, showing attachment rings.

Not from Guttmann Collection: Two pieces of iron shoulder and neck guard, evidently from unknown form of composite armor. Armor courtesy Harlan J. Berk. Publication pending.

Close-up of left shoulder section, showing inscribed name (apparently Q. AEMILIO) and attachment points for mail.

Underside of shoulder section, showing longitudinal hinge. The pin is probably modern.

Underside of right shoulder section.

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.