Description
The articulated lobster-tailed pot helmet, also known as the zischägge, horseman’s pot and harquebusier’s pot, was a type of combat helmet derived from an Ottoman Turkish helmet type. From circa 1600, it became popular in most of Europe and was especially worn by cavalrymen and officers. The helmet gradually fell out of use in most of Europe in the late 17th century; however, the Austrian heavy cavalry retained it for some campaigns as late as the 1780s. In the Americas, they were in wide use until around 1720.
This example was deaccessioned from a museum in St. Louis, Missouri and dates to around 1620-1640. It retains the side ear covers which generally are missing as well as the nose guard. The blacking compound common on them is mostly intact but the inner leather portions have long rotted away leaving only traces showing it was there.
Many of these were used in Jamestown and other very early American colonies. A RARE opportunity to own a piece of history that was around BEFORE the United States!
