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Battle Helmets

Helmets were among the oldest forms of combat protection, and are known to have been worn by ancient Greeks, Romans, throughout the Middle Ages, and up to the end of the 1600s by many combatants. At that time, they were purely military equipment, protecting the head from cutting blows with swords, flying arrows, and low-velocity musketry. They were initially constructed from leather, and then bronze and iron during the Bronze and Iron Ages, but soon came to be made entirely from forged steel in many societies after about 950A.D. Military use of helmets declined after 1670, and rifled firearms ended their use by foot soldiers after 1700. By the 18th century, cavalry units often wore steel body cuirasses, and frequently metal skull protectors under their hats, called "secrets". The often-ridiculed Prussian spiked helmet, or Pickelhaube, saved many soldiers by diverting sideways otherwise mortal sabre blows to the head. Its usefulness was ended by the increased use of heavy artillery during World War I, replaced by the German steel helmet, or Stahlhelm, and afterwards it was worn merely for tradition. Additional information on these battle helmets at the bottom of this page.

War Helmet Replicas - Camouflage for German Paratrooper MSRP: $22.00 Our Price: $16.25	War Helmet Replicas - WW II German Paratrooper MSRP: $136.00 Our Price: $116.50	Roman Replicas - Greco Roman Crested Helmet MSRP: $338.68 Our Price: $294.50
Roman Replicas - Black Greco Crested Helmet MSRP: $338.68 Our Price: $294.50	War Helmet Replicas - WW II German Camouflage Painted MSRP: $134.75 Our Price: $116.50	War Helmet Replicas - Pre WW I German Pickelhaube MSRP: $261.45 Our Price: $206.50
War Helmet Replicas - 1935 WW II Rolled Rim German Helmet MSRP: $165.00 Our Price: $133.95	War Helmet Replicas - Arming Cap MSRP: $37.50 Our Price: $30.00	War Helmet Replicas - Dark Ages Helm MSRP: $148.29 Our Price: $128.95
War Helmet Replicas - Great Helm MSRP: $249.90 Our Price: $199.00	War Helmet Replicas - Open Face Barbute MSRP: $333.50 Our Price: $290.00	War Helmet Replicas - Leather Roman Trooper's Helmet MSRP: $136.85 Our Price: $119.00
War Helmet Replicas - Salade with Bevor MSRP: $540.50 Our Price: $470.00	War Helmet Replicas - Viking Helm MSRP: $123.45 Our Price: $109.00	War Helmet Replicas - Viking Helmet MSRP: $178.70 Our Price: $149.50
War Helmet Replicas - WW II German Helmet -C474M17 Replica MSRP: $134.75 Our Price: $116.50	War Helmet Replicas - Viking Helmet with Horns and Spike MSRP: $122.50 Our Price: $89.50	Medieval Armour - Crusader Helmet with Brass Trim MSRP: $125.00 Our Price: $117.50
Medieval Armour - Pig Face Medieval Helmet MSRP: $85.00 Our Price: $76.50	Medieval Armour - Closed Medieval Helmet MSRP: $105.00 Our Price: $97.50	Medieval Armour - Medieval Gladiator Helmet MSRP: $83.00 Our Price: $77.50
Medieval Armour - Norman Medieval Helmet MSRP: $62.00 Our Price: $56.99	Medieval Armour - Cloth Medieval Helmet Arming Cap MSRP: $24.00 Our Price: $18.99	Medieval Armour - Medieval or German Helmet Stand MSRP: $15.00 Our Price: $11.25
Roman Armour - Roman Trooper's Helmet MSRP: $115.00 Our Price: $107.95	Roman Armour - Roman Centurion Helmet with Red Plume MSRP: $115.00 Our Price: $167.50	Medieval Armour - Knight's Leather Practice Helmet MSRP: $83.00 Our Price: $77.95

The Napoleonic era saw ornate cavalry helmets reintroduced for cuirassiers and dragoons in some armies; they continued to be used by French forces during World War I as late as 1915, when they were replaced by the new French Adrian helmet. It was soon followed by the adoption of similar steel helmets by the other warring nations.

World War I and its increased use of heavy artillery had renewed the need for steel helmets, which were quickly introduced by all the combatant nations for their foot soldiers. In the 20th century, such helmets offered protection for the head from shrapnel and spent, or glancing bullets.

The use of protective helmets by millions of fighting men in the two world wars increased awareness of "hard hat" protection. By the 1950s, hundreds of new applications for helmets were found. The helmet offered an unexpected advantage: Symbolism. It can signify that, like a soldier, the wearer is someone qualified for or capable of a certain task or activity, such as construction, operation of heavy machinery, or participation in certain sports.

Today's militaries often use high-quality helmets made of ballistic materials such as Kevlar, which have excellent bullet and fragmentation stopping power. Some helmets also have good non-ballistic protective qualities, though many do not. Non-ballistic injuries may be caused by many things, including (but not limited to) concussive shockwaves from explosions, motor vehicle accidents, or falls.