English Civil War Harquebuster's "Lobster Tail" Helmet circa 1640.

English Civil War Harquebusier's “Lobster Tail” Helmet circa 1640.
I am privileged occasionally to handle artefacts of historical significance that may send a shiver down my spine. This is one of those artefacts!
This is an English Civil War period iron Harquebusier's Helmet commonly known as a “Lobster Tail” helmet because of the truncated neck guard which looks like a lobster’s tail. Some tails were articulated but most were not. These helmets were worn by both sides but predominantly by Royalists. The term “roundhead” has nothing to do with this or any other helmet this term was used in a derogatory sense because Cromwell’s troops kept their head shaved and wore very simple uniforms. The analogy is that of being called “square” in our youth in contemporary times.
This type of helmet was stocked in the Tower and private arsenals prior to the war as well as produced for the war, thus dating it about 1635-45. Iron skull made in two pieces with a rolled central seam. The pivoting peak or brim with rolled edge and suspending a triple bar face guard. A number of examples of this type were preserved at Littlecote House, and are now at the Royal Armouries, formerly Tower of London. This example has definitely seen combat with a contemporary riveted repair to the peak band at the right side and a distinct sword blow impact mark to the right side as well which probably caused the damage needing repair. These helmets were worn over knitted felt “Monmouth” caps and it is likely that the wearer was concussed but survived that particular blow. The cheek pads have been removed which was not unusual at the time and a virtually identical example without cheek pieces can be seen in the National Trust collection. The point of the peak is slightly distorted from lamination or straightening an impact damage. The neck guard and peak shows slight loss to the rolled edge as can be seen in the photographs and not unusual in an artefact that is at least 373 years old. I have steel buckets in my garden two years old that have not lasted as well!
Most Lobster tails were imported but this is an English example and overall very pleasing with a wonderful patina that has developed over nearly 400 years and has clearly been cared for by generations of custodians to arrive with me. This is an item that looks better in the hand than any photograph can do justice to. This is not a stage prop (many so called “original” lobster tails are actually Victorian, made for theatrical use) but a genuine artefact that was most definitely used in earnest as can be seen from its “battle scars”. There were surprisingly few battles in the English Civil War and in my day you were taught them, Marston Moor, Adwalton Moor, Naseby, Roundaway Down and Newbury. There were also several sieges notably at Gloucester, Oxford, Hull, Newark and Carlisle. This is a Lobster tail helmet that would have been worn by an individual present at one or more of these events, no doubt about it and that is what sent the shiver down my spine!

Code: 50496