Hope someone can help me, please?

[pethauhen]

Hi

I posted this on a fencing forum, because I thought I'd been given a fencing mask. Someone had informed me that it's more like Kendo, this is a copy of the original post:
.................................................. .................................................. ....

Hi

I hope someone can help me please.

I have acquired what I think is a very old fencing mask. The top of the head protection and side are made of very very strong thick leather and stamped “BH & G Ltd” “1955” and “L”.

The metal face seems like iron, and the whole mask is very heavy.

The padding under chin and around the face area seems to have a “hair” filling.

There is a metal piece which would go down the back of the head, covered in leather, and a leather strap with buckle round the back of the head.

I have tried to include 2 photo’s below. Hope this works as I’m not very technical!

I would be grateful if anyone could give me some history regarding this mask. I collect sporting memorabilia, but never had much to do with fencing before.

Thank you

www.tescophoto.com/wpp/tesco/thumbnails/00000012/110756/t_36309439_1820540673.jpg

www.tescophoto.com/wpp/tesco/thumbnails/00000012/110756/t_36309455_8043979584.jpg

.................................................. ..............................................

I was wondering if anyone here would be able to help me with the history of this mask.

Thank in in anticipation.

[pethauhen]

Sorry, the photo's don't seem to have come out. I will try and post them when I've sussed out what to do!

Thank you

[corwyn]

Images aren't allowed in this forum, but links to pictures are ok. The ones you posted are awfully small, though.

[pethauhen]

www.tescophoto.com/wpp/tesco/thumbnails/00000012/110756/p_36309439_1820540673.jpg


www.tescophoto.com/wpp/tesco/thumbnails/00000012/110756/p_36309455_8043979584.jpg


Are these any bigger??

Sorry about this, I really am not technical.

pethau

[corwyn]

With the caveat that I don't know much about kendo, and even less about fencing...that looks more like a fencing mask, except that it uses bars instead of wire mesh: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31EVGY89YDL._AA280_.jpg

A kendo mask has the ago (chin piece that's the target for a "tsuki" stab), as well as the men-tare that drape down over the tops of the shoulders, and it ties in the back rather than fastening with any sort of strap: http://www.masksoftheworld.com/Protection/zp%20Kendo%20Mask%202.htm

[Kendoka]

Hi

.................................................. ..............................................

I was wondering if anyone here would be able to help me with the history of this mask.

Thank in in anticipation.

Interesting, can't help with what it is, but it certainly isn't a kendo mask (Men).

[sirius1906]

not kendo for sure.

[Exia00]

it doesn't seem to be a kendo mask. The metal bars resemble the mengane of the Men; but ultimately there is no tsuki-ago/men flaps.

Not sure why you would want that though... Unless you want someone to get a tetanus shot.

[Kent Enfield]

I'm not a fencer, but it looks like an old-style saber helmet. As others have already noted, it is not a kendo (or other Japanese budo) men.

[yoda-waza]

I'd say it's a fencing helmet based on the retention tab on the back of the head and the face-only protection. While searching unsuccessfully for historical examples of this fencing helmet on the web I stumbled across this Edo-era padded leather kendo helmet (http://www.trocadero.com/waunatowerhouseinc/items/683419/item683419.html) which resembles a brain without a cranium. Strangely metaphoric, no?

[pethauhen]

Hi all

Thank you for all you replies. I posted on another forum as well, as this is part of the reply:

""You have a bayonet mask. Similar to a kendo mask, but with three vertical reinforcing bars instead of one and more closely spaced horizontal bars. These masks were made for the British army during the 2nd World War and into the early 50s. Yours would appear to have been made by BH & G Ltd in 1955. The padding would be horse hair""

So off to search the net further now.

Cheers

[LowFatMat]

I'd say it's a fencing helmet based on the retention tab on the back of the head and the face-only protection. While searching unsuccessfully for historical examples of this fencing helmet on the web I stumbled across this Edo-era padded leather kendo helmet (http://www.trocadero.com/waunatowerhouseinc/items/683419/item683419.html) which resembles a brain without a cranium. Strangely metaphoric, no?

Top find! That must look amazing when you're wearing it - kind of like Ray Liotta in the closing stages of Hannibal.