Horned Helm Question

[Angster]

Ok... I have a new project to play with, but need some advice. I've got a friend that carves bone and horn, and I bartered some leatherwork for a matched set of wonderfully carved horns. I want to use them to make a viking style helm, but I'm not sure to attach them where they'll be snug and secure. My thought is to start with a spangenhelm base, then add 'viking' flavor to it. Any ideas on attaching the helm? Thanks in advance!

[dirtclod]

You could cut a wood plug to fit in the end. Stick the wood in with with epoxy and take a couple of flat head screws and screw into the horn from inside the helment. Neat looking horn !!

[DCKNIVES]

I have never done a helm before but have done a few powder horns.Those horns are great looking.I think I would start by cutting and fitting a wood block to fit inside the horn and either screw throughthe horn or epoxy it in.I would then attach the horns to the helm by a screw through the helm and into the block of wood. Of course all of this would be done before putting in any linings.Dave

edited to add me and dirtclod answered at the same time with the same answer lol

Edited June 23, 2011 by DCKNIVES

[yan]

is the helm for show or are you going to use it in fight (either larp or sca)?

[hivemind]

I made a horned helm by filling the base of the horn with fiberglass, then drilling a hole and tapping it for a lag bolt that went through the helmet into the fiberglass.

I fight both LARP and Dagorhir wearing it. Been going strong for a few years now.

[Angster]

As the horns are carved, I don't think I'd want to attempt them to stand up to abuse. However, I'm thinking of filling them with expandable foam (as some spots were carved down fairly thin).

With creating a 'base' plug for the horn then screwing through the helm into the plug, is there any concerns of 'horn wobble'? I guess that would be contingent on how thick the leather of the helm is?

These are some great ideas, thanks guys!

[whinewine]

Just IHO, why would you waste something this nice on something that has no basis in fact (Vikings didn't wear horns on their hats )? The pictured horn looks so nice, why don't you make them into a pair of very fine drinking horns that can be carried or displayed ? Just MHO.

[Eldorado]

Ok... I have a new project to play with, but need some advice. I've got a friend that carves bone and horn, and I bartered some leatherwork for a matched set of wonderfully carved horns. I want to use them to make a viking style helm, but I'm not sure to attach them where they'll be snug and secure. My thought is to start with a spangenhelm base, then add 'viking' flavor to it. Any ideas on attaching the helm? Thanks in advance!

Hey Ben,

It was good to see you and Bob in Larkspur last weekend.

I've done something similar with a deer antler using JB Weld Epoxy. This is probably similar to what Hivemind did. The nice parts about it are that it fills the entire void, is drillable/tappable, and when you fill the void with the soft epoxy and then let it set-up on a piece of paper on a flat surface you can get a perfectly flat base that is even with the bottom of the horn.

Hope you find this helpful.

[oldtimer]

Just IHO, why would you waste something this nice on something that has no basis in fact (Vikings didn't wear horns on their hats )? The pictured horn looks so nice, why don't you make them into a pair of very fine drinking horns that can be carried or displayed ? Just MHO.

I agree ! It is a waste on something that isn´t authentic.

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2189/did-vikings-really-wear-horns-on-their-helmets.

MHO / Knut ( with viking ancestors )

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

I wouldn't use foam, or be very careful using it. It can create a lot of pressure as it expands, and could crack your horns.

If I was to do a horned helmet I would do a metal frame with leather inserts, and the horn mounted into the metal framework. It could look cool, but it wouldn't be very authentic Viking. I believe it was their forefathers that used antlers, horns on their helmets.

Now if ya want to get all retro techie you could install some LEDs in the horns so they light up.

[hivemind]

Did I mention I used two bolts in each horn so it didn't spin?

[Angster]

Thanks for the additional information/advice. A couple of things, though.

I apologize if I gave the impression that I was trying for historical authenticity. I'm not trying for authentic and already have several of my friends that would wear the helm as part of their dwarven armor sets, I guess also not authentic. However, thank you for providing the information.

The reason I bartered for the horns is that I think they would look interesting on a leather helm. I have no need to make drinking horns, as I make leather mugs and bottles.

Good point on the foam, that would be, ummm, upsetting if I were to go through all the work just to blow out a horn.

Eldorado, great meeting you as well. The world is such a small place and you never know who you'll meet if you just get out there!

Again thanks everyone for your tips, advice and information!

[Eldorado]

Thanks for the additional information/advice. A couple of things, though.

I apologize if I gave the impression that I was trying for historical authenticity. I'm not trying for authentic and already have several of my friends that would wear the helm as part of their dwarven armor sets, I guess also not authentic. However, thank you for providing the information.

The reason I bartered for the horns is that I think they would look interesting on a leather helm. I have no need to make drinking horns, as I make leather mugs and bottles.

Good point on the foam, that would be, ummm, upsetting if I were to go through all the work just to blow out a horn.

Eldorado, great meeting you as well. The world is such a small place and you never know who you'll meet if you just get out there!

Again thanks everyone for your tips, advice and information!

On a different day, we might have met with my antler staff in hand.

I've got a Druid look that I do from time to time. Took the antler, chopped the end clean with my chop saw, gouged out some of the brittle horn on the inside, and gooped in JBWeld. When it set, I drilled it and cranked in a double-ended lag bolt (3/8"). Screwed the thing to the top of an live oak cutting from my back yard. Solid as a rock.

Good luck.

[Mrs Barry Hicks]

It may take a little longer but...

Make a base for the horn out of leather (moulded to the shape of the base of the horn along with a rim that sticks out perpendicular to it all the way around). Drill holes into the base of the horn and stitch it to the leather base. When done stitch the rim to the helm. That's pretty basic and doesn't need to use all sorts of chemicals. And you don't have to buy other stuff, cause I'm guessing you already have everything you need. And that will be super stable as well.

And with the stiching done on it, it will look really cool. :D imo of course!

B.

On a different day, we might have met with my antler staff in hand.

I've got a Druid look that I do from time to time. Took the antler, chopped the end clean with my chop saw, gouged out some of the brittle horn on the inside, and gooped in JBWeld. When it set, I drilled it and cranked in a double-ended lag bolt (3/8"). Screwed the thing to the top of an live oak cutting from my back yard. Solid as a rock.

Good luck.

[hivemind]

That's a solid idea there, I'll remember that.