SA0233 German burgonet, Medieval Knights Helm

German burgonet, Medieval Knights Helm
Commonplace throughout Europe, it first came into use early in the 16th century
and had attained its classic form by c. 1550.Accompanied by plate armour,
burgonets were mostly worn by cavalry: cuirassiers, demi-lancers and, in Eastern
Europe, hussars.German burgonet, c. 1560, showing the open face of the helmet.
The Border Reivers, of the English-Scottish borderlands, were very fond of
burgonets and the morion in Elizabethan times, and as a result reivers were often
called steil (steel) bonnets. Burgonets were also a popular helmet type among the
Polish winged hussars, where they merged with types of lobster-tailed pot helmets
(zischagge), often featuring a nasal bar or facial guard.The burgonet was common
among the mercenary Swiss infantry who were pikemen who could defend
themselves against cavalry (perhaps taking helmets of this form as trophies).
Following the appearance of the Adrian and Brodie helmets and the Stahlhelm, in
the First World War, the Swiss experimented with a “streamlined” form of the
burgonet for their own national helmet, but both designs were rejected.
The factors of utility of the burgonet over older helmets include:Cost—The main
factor in the decision to wear one; burgonets were significantly cheaper than
large closed-face helmets.Encumbrance—Close helmets were very bulky and
heavy. It could be hard for the wearer to see, breathe or turn his head while
wearing one. The burgonet, however, was light and had an open face that gave an
advantage in offense.Protection—The burgonet was not as protective as heavier
helms, but still afforded some protection. Having an open face could be remedied
with a falling buffe.