Comb morion: HEN.M.30-1933

Maker(s)

Production: Unknown

Entities

• Comb morion

Categories

• Armour

Description

Comb morion, for infantry use, with embossed decoration in the 'black and white' fashion. Formed in two halves joined medially by a turn along the crest of the comb, and by a riveted overlap at the front and rear of the brim. It has a rounded crown that curves down markedly at each side and rises to a high, file-roped medial comb; and an integral brim that is turned down at each side and curves up to an acute point at the front and the rear. The edge of the brim has a file-roped inward turn. The base of the crown is encircled by ten modern round-headed lining-rivets fitted with external brass rosette washers and internal octagonal washers that retain a leather lining-band.
Each side of the crown is embossed in low relief with a large, vertically-symmetrical fleur-de-lis that, like the comb, is polished bright against a 'black from the hammer' ground in the 'black and white' fashion.
The roping of the crest of the comb and the turned edges of the brim appears to be modern work.

Notes

History note: Mr James Stewart Henderson of 'Abbotsford', Downs Road, St Helen's Park, Hastings, Sussex.

Legal notes

J.S. Henderson Bequest

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1933-03-16) by Henderson, James Stewart

Dating

17th Century, Early#
Circa 1600 CE - 1610 CE

Note

The bright areas of the helmet show a medium patination covered with a yellowed lacquer. The intervening areas retain their original 'black from the hammer' finish, showing slight wear through to bright metal.