Reply #14: I picked up a nice little close helm ...

[Lisa]

... from "Eisenape" in Arkansas, because he inadvertently made it a bit too small (but perfect for me!). I had been looking for an armet, but considering the craftsmanship, this was such a bargain that I couldn't say no!




Actually it looks quite a bit like the patterns posted at Craig T. ("Sinric") Nadler's site, and he dates it (the sparrow-beak visor, not the grill) to the early 1500s.
http://www.eskimo.com/~cwn/close.html
http://www.armourarchive.org/patterns/close_helm/

My question is -- approximately how long did this style remain popular for, in history, and what corresponding types of swords would go with it (length, blade dimensions, fullering, etc.)?

(p.s. sorry, this is more of a Renaissance-era question I guess, so feel free to pass if it's not your time period)