Renaissance helmets
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Whether morion, zischägge or burgonet – Renaissance helmets mark one of the most fascinating transitional periods in the history of armour. In the 16th and 17th centuries, lighter, more open combat helmets increasingly replaced the heavy visored helmets of the High Middle Ages. Infantry, cavalry and bodyguards each developed their own helmet designs, which can still be found today in museums, re-enactment groups and collections. In this category, you’ll find functional steel replicas – ranging from more affordable entry-level models to detailed Marto reproductions with engraved decorations.
Renaissance helmet types: morion, zischägge, burgonet and cabasset
The early modern period produced a variety of helmet designs, each developed for different branches of the military and theatres of war. An overview of the four most important types from the 16th and 17th centuries:
Morion
An open helmet without a visor, featuring a characteristic high crest and a brim that curves upwards at the front and back. Originally the standard helmet of the Spanish tercios and conquistadors, it later also served as ceremonial bodyguard armour.
Zischägge / Pappenheimer helmet
Semi-open cavalry helmet with cheek flaps, nose guard and neck guard. Widely used during the Thirty Years’ War as standard head protection for the cavalry. Also known as the Polish Zischägge or Hungarian storm helmet.
Burgonet & Cabasset
The Burgonet is a closed storm helmet with a visor, ideal for heavy infantry and cavalry. The Cabasset (pear helmet), on the other hand, is a light, pear-shaped helmet without a crest – particularly common among Spanish tercios.
What is a morion? History and significance
The morion is an open-faced helmet type without a visor, which emerged from the Spanish cabasset in the first half of the 16th century. Its most characteristic feature is the high crest running lengthwise over the crown, as well as the brim that curves sharply upwards at the front and back – an unmistakable profile that makes the helmet recognisable to this day.
The term ‘morion’ is thought to derive from the Spanish ‘morro’, meaning ‘skull’ or ‘crown’ – a direct description of the helmet’s distinctive shape. Originally, the morion was the standard helmet of the Spanish infantry and conquistadors during the Conquista. In the late 16th century, it was also adopted by European mercenary units and city guards.
Particularly interesting: the morion never completely lost its military significance – it became a ceremonial helmet. The Swiss Guard at the Vatican still wears a helmet shape related to the morion on official occasions. This distinguishes it from most other Renaissance helmet shapes, which disappeared from active service after the end of the Thirty Years’ War.
Anyone who takes a closer look at late medieval helmets will quickly recognise how the transition from closed visor helmets to more open helmet designs such as the morion is reflected in the helmet’s construction.
The balaclava: history and development from the 16th to the 17th century
The term ‘baldric’ is often used today as a generic term for various semi-open infantry and cavalry helmets of the early modern period. Historically, it primarily refers to closed or semi-closed helmets with eye protection that were neither completely open (like the morion) nor completely closed (like the armet of the High Middle Ages).
The emergence of the storm helmet
As a lighter alternative to the heavy visor helmets of the late Middle Ages, the first semi-open helmet designs emerged for infantry and mounted troops. The increasing prevalence of firearms made heavy, fully enclosed armour increasingly impractical.
The spread of the burgonet
The burgonet, a closed balaclava with a hinged visor, became the preferred head armour of heavy cavalry. Unlike the open balaclava, it offered full facial protection and was particularly valued by German and French mounted troops.
Thirty Years’ War – The heyday of the Zischägge
The Zischägge (also known as the Pappenheimer helmet) became the standard head protection for cavalry during the Thirty Years’ War. Its semi-open design, featuring a nose guard, cheek flaps and neck guard, offered a good compromise between protection and field of vision – crucial for mounted combatants.
Replaced by more modern headgear
With the increasing importance of firearms, steel helmets generally lost their relevance. From the late 17th century onwards, lighter tricorn hats and leather caps replaced the steel helmets of the infantry. Only in ceremonial contexts did the morion and related forms survive.
Materials and thicknesses: What goes into our replicas?
The thickness of a helmet’s steel is a key factor in determining its suitability for a particular purpose. In this category, you’ll find models in various thicknesses – from decorative entry-level models to versions suitable for re-enactment combat. Leather padding, inner lining and decorative elements also play a role in ensuring comfort and authenticity.
| Steel thickness | Suitability | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2 mm steel | Decoration | Collections, display cases, costume displays |
| 1.3 mm steel | Beginners | Festivals, light re-enactment, with leather inlay |
| 1.6 mm / 16 gauge steel | Re-enactment | Living history, marches, functional without full contact |
| 2 mm steel | Exhibition fighting | Combat re-enactments, heavy-duty use |
| Carbon steel | Historical | Increased hardness, more authentic material – care instructions apply |
| Brass decorations | Collectors | High-quality Marto models, engravings, gold embellishments |
An important note on carbon steel: This material is harder than ordinary steel, but also more sensitive to moisture and oxidation. Carbon steel helmets require special care after every use – see the section below for more details. Models with leather padding or an adjustable inner lining offer significantly greater comfort, particularly during longer events.
Which helmet for which purpose? Re-enactment, collection, decoration
Models made from 1.2–1.3 mm steel are suitable for exhibitions, display cases, costume presentations at festivals and as an introduction to the subject. The German morion helmet made from 1.2 mm steel (from approx. €67) or the pointed morion with leather lining made from 1.3 mm steel are typical examples of this category – recognisably affordable, but only of limited suitability for functional reenactment.
Helmets made from 1.6 mm / 16-gauge steel are the most popular choice for living history and medieval market re-enactments. Models such as the Polish Zischägge, the closed Burgonet or the Morion with French fleur-de-lis offer functional protection for marches and re-enactments without full contact. Adjustable inner linings and leather padding enhance comfort when worn for several hours. If you are planning a Thirty Years’ War or Tercios re-enactment, the Late Medieval and Early Modern category is the perfect choice.
The Marto replicas from Spain are true-to-scale reproductions based on historical models – featuring intricate engravings, gold embellishments and high-quality craftsmanship. The engraved Spanish morion helmet (from approx. €185) and the gold-embellished morion (from approx. €193) are typical examples of this class, which are also used in museums and film productions. These models are less suitable for full-contact re-enactment – their place is in a display cabinet or as a high-quality prop.
Spanish Morion vs. German Morion: The key differences
Within the morion family, there are distinct regional differences that are relevant for an authentic portrayal. Both variants are available in this category:
- High, strikingly curved crest over the crown
- Brim strongly curved upwards at the front and back
- Narrower brim at the sides
- Originating from the Spanish infantry of the Conquista and Tercios
- Typical of depictions of Iberian expansion, 16th–17th centuries
- Also available with feather decoration and leather lining
- Flatter crest or no crest
- Wider, more uniform brim all round
- Smoother overall shape, less curved
- Typical of German provincial and mercenary units of the late 16th century
- Particularly suitable for re-enactments of the Holy Roman Empire
- Adjustable inner lining available on several models
A practical note on fit: Renaissance helmets are usually selected based on head circumference in centimetres. Models with an adjustable leather inner lining allow for an adjustment of 2–3 cm. If you are unsure whether a morion or a zischägge is better suited to your planned re-enactment, you will find further guidance in our helmet overview category and can also compare models from neighbouring eras.
Good to know: Care and storage of steel helmets
Steel helmets – particularly those made of carbon steel or untreated iron – are susceptible to oxidation. If you want to keep your helmet in good condition for a long time, you should observe the following basic rules:
- Dry after every use: Moisture is the greatest enemy of untreated steel. After rain, sweat or high humidity, rub the helmet dry and leave it to air-dry completely.
- Lightly oil: Apply acid-free machine oil, Ballistol or a special metal care product to a cloth and rub a thin layer over the entire surface. This forms a protective layer against oxidation.
- Treat surface rust early: Initial rust spots can be removed with fine steel wool (0000 grit) without leaving scratches. Re-oil immediately afterwards.
- Store correctly: Do not store in damp cellars or plastic bags. Ideally, store on a helmet stand – this maintains the shape and allows air to circulate.
- Caring for leather padding: Treat leather linings occasionally with a suitable leather grease to keep them supple and prevent them from becoming brittle.
If your plate armour or breastplate is also made of steel, you can use the same care products – Ballistol and acid-free oil work universally for all untreated steel armour parts. For chainmail, the same basic care with oil is recommended to prevent rust in the weave.
From historically accurate reenactment pieces to museum-quality collector’s replicas – in this category you’ll find the perfect Renaissance helmet for your project. Browse through the selection and feel free to call us for advice on fit or steel thicknesses.
Frequently asked questions
The morion is an open-faced helmet without a visor, which evolved from the Spanish cabasset in the early 16th century. Its hallmark features are the high longitudinal crest and the brim that curves sharply upwards at the front and back. The name is thought to derive from the Spanish ‘morro’, meaning ‘skull’ or ‘crown’ – a direct description of the helmet’s characteristic shape.
The Spanish morion has a high, curved crest and a brim that curves sharply upwards at the front and back – typical of the Spanish infantry and conquistadors. The German morion, on the other hand, has a flatter crest or none at all, and a wider, more uniform brim all round. Both variants are available in this category and are suitable for different historical re-enactments.
The balaclava, as a semi-open helmet design, emerged in the early 16th century as a lighter alternative to the heavy visor helmets of the late Middle Ages. It reached its peak popularity during the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648), when the Zischägge – also known as the Pappenheimer helmet – became the standard head protection for the cavalry. Its semi-open design, featuring a nose guard and cheek flaps, offered a good compromise between protection and field of vision.
For living history and medieval market re-enactments without full contact, helmets made from 1.6 mm steel (16 gauge) are the standard choice – they are functional and offer sufficient stability for prolonged wear. For decorative purposes or collections, 1.2–1.3 mm models are also suitable. For staged combat involving physical contact, you should aim for a thickness of at least 2 mm.
Carbon steel is more susceptible to oxidation than plain steel and requires special care after each use. Allow the helmet to dry completely after contact with moisture and then rub it lightly with acid-free machine oil or Ballistol. Initial rust spots can be removed with fine steel wool (0000 grit). For storage, a helmet stand in a dry room is recommended.