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Matt Lukes · 02-18-2005, 08:01 PM

Avete Omnes! 
 
I've recently finished re-working an Imperial Italic helmet I bought to what I consider is a reasonably good state based on the images I've found of other re-enactors' helmets- but I've also recently discovered that on Matt Amt's LEGXX website that the particular model helmet I believe this is, is designated unsuitable and irrepairably flawed; so I'm curious what you all think of my 'corrections' and if there still are serious problems or not. 
 
<img src="http://img58.exs.cx/img58/8500/imperialitalic22tt.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
<img src="http://img33.exs.cx/img33/4757/imperialitalic37lp.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
<img src="http://img58.exs.cx/img58/3043/imperialitalic41jb.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
<img src="http://img76.exs.cx/img76/2507/imperialitalic54ol.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
Here are the changes I made: 
 
- removed the vertical plume holders from the sides 
- removed the 'Frankenstein's Monster' bolts from the brow guard and replaced them with copper rivets 
- moved the cheekguards further back 
- removed the large crest stand holder on top and replaced it with the more usual type, and added side rings (in case I ever make a Centurio crest) 
- added small folded brass pieces to the ends of all the brass edging 
- added 3 brass rivet bosses to each of the the cheekguards and neckguard, and two above each of the cheekguard hinges 
- cut down the earguards to a more proper size and shape 
- replaced all the brass rivets with copper ones 
- added 2 rings on the inside of each cheekguard and one under the neckguard for the tie cord 
 
The bowl is a little on the large side, but overall it doesn't seem too bad, and the only other issue I still see is that the neckguard might be a little large. 
 
What do you all think? 
 
Salvete 
 
Matt

**richsc** · 02-19-2005, 12:19 AM

Imperial Gallic you mean. I have the exact same helmet (I'm in Matt's group). I have shaved down the ear pieces, replaced the bolts, but Matt also made me shorten the neckguard, which is not as bad as it sounds. 
The big problem is the neck ridges, which are three rounded humps, not stepped. This can't be fixed, but even Matt thinks that is ok if you can do the other stuff. Legio XX 
Caput dolet, pedes fetent, Iesum non amo

FlaviusCrispus · 02-19-2005, 02:02 AM

Very nice work, Matt! You really turned a sow's ear into a silk purse! 
 
The only additional thing I might do (aside from trimming the neck guard a bit) is to fill that open weld seam between the helmet bowl and the neck guard, and smooth it down so it looks like it was formed from a single sheet. One of our guys did this mod on his version of the same helmet, and it makes a big difference in the overall look, although in every other respect your work came off much better than his. 
 
T. Flavius Crispus 
Leg VI VPF 
CA, USA

Matt Lukes · 02-19-2005, 03:05 AM

Thanks for the compliments guys. 
 
Whoops- yes- Imperial Gallic, not Italic (don't know why I wrote that). Well thanks for the feedback guys- I'm pretty pleased with how it's turned-out given the flaws, and that it really didn't end up being as much work as I feared at first. 
 
I recall the ridging on the back being something of an issue with some types of helmet- too many of them, and so on. I hadn't been quite clear about what is meant about 'stepped' ridges at the back, but now I see what you mean, Rich, and that 'correcting' them on this helmet would be VERY hard- I wouldn't even be willing to try. I'm glad fixing all the other features leaves this one acceptable (ha). 
 
Thanks for your suggestion of filling the neckguard seam Crispus- that hadn't ocurred to me; for much of the distance, the gap is pretty-much invisible, but becomes more obvious in the last 10-15cm of the left side (as you can see in the picture). I'll see what I can do. 
 
Matt Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=mattl@romanarmytalk>Matt L</A> at: 2/19/05 4:06 am

Matt Lukes · 02-19-2005, 03:14 AM

Oh, I forgot to ask- how much of the neckguard did you guys remove? 
 
Matt

02-19-2005, 12:19 PM

Is this the Deepeeka AH6052 from Matthews list? Does the 6052A address all of these problems?

**richsc** · 02-19-2005, 01:09 PM

About an inch. I'll use yours for a guide for additional fixes to mine. Thanks. Legio XX 
Caput dolet, pedes fetent, Iesum non amo

Matt Lukes · 02-19-2005, 05:55 PM

That's just an inch off it's length, right Rich? What about the angle the ends come off the helmet- that's okay, yes? 
 
<img src="http://img75.exs.cx/img75/6530/imperialitalic2a3ws.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
I'm not sure if this is the AH6052- I bought it from an eStore on ebaY and they didn't have this information. At the time, the only thing I cared about was that it wasn't one of those "lobster tail" "Roman Trooper" helmets. I did match it to one of the Deepeka types back when I was looking for all the details to fix, and, as I wrote, I did find the type I thought it was on Matt's 'bad' list, so it could have been the 6052- I just don't immediately recall. 
 
Matt

Marcus Mummius · 02-20-2005, 11:29 AM

Salve, 
 
I'm thinking about shaving the earguards of my deepeeka Imperial Gallic 'H' to the proper dimensions too. Can someone tell me how much I should remove? 
 
Thanks in advance! 
 
PS. Mat L, good job!!

Matt Lukes · 02-20-2005, 05:30 PM

Thanks Marcus. My earguards are now 15mm in width (5/8"), although that's not an 'official' dimension- I just eyeballed what looked about right proportionally when I compared my helmet to those of others and to actual artifacts. 
 
Matt

**richsc** · 02-21-2005, 12:49 AM

Yes, that 1" that you indicated is about what Matt Amt grease marked on my helmet, angles too, so that is good. Legio XX 
Caput dolet, pedes fetent, Iesum non amo

Matt Lukes · 02-24-2005, 01:42 AM

Avete Omnes, 
 
I've just finished trimming and re-edging the neckguard on my helmet and this is what it looks like now: 
 
<img src="http://img226.exs.cx/img226/4796/imperialgallic63mc.jpg" style="border:0;"/> 
 
So, does she pass muster? 
 
Valete 
 
Matt

**richsc** · 02-25-2005, 06:20 PM

Looks good to me. I'm going to borrow some your stuff for mine. Legio XX 
Caput dolet, pedes fetent, Iesum non amo

Matt Lukes · 02-25-2005, 06:33 PM

Cool- thanks for the help guys- I'm much happier with the way the neckguard looks now. I hope yours turns out to your satisfaction too Rich. 
 
I have one recommendation to make: be CAREFUL with the browguard- it's CAST steel so it will break before it bends. How do I know? Because I managed to do it. I felt the helmet bowl was too round and wanted to squeeze the sides to make it a little more ovoid in shape. That was no problem, but it affected the fit of the guard; 'no problem either' thought I, but when I attempted to bend the ends of the guard together- snap. And it's a real pain trying to get things like this welded back together straight. You can just see it in the photo I posted of the front of the helmet- the right side dips slightly (because that's where it's welded) causing the guard to raise up on that side and look lop-sided. I suppose I could just say that it was caused by a barbarian's sword (ha). Oh well- I just strongly recommend that no one messes with their guard unless they're sure it's not a casting. 
 
Valete 
 
Matt Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=mattl@romanarmytalk>Matt L</A> at: 2/25/05 7:35 pm

02-25-2005, 07:44 PM

Matt L , You did real good on that helmet.

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