North Caucasian helmets from the Crimean Tatar Nobility from the Museum of Topkapi Palace (Istanbul, Turkey). Design Features, Design and Combat Use

• Main Authors: Leonid A. Bobrov, Alexey V. Salnikov
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sochi State University 2016-06-01
• Series: Bylye Gody
• Subjects: the Crimean khanate; north Caucasus; tatars; circassians; armour; circassian helmets
• Online Access: http://bg.sutr.ru/journals_n/1465041673.pdf

The article describes the helmets of the Crimean Tatar nobility stored in the Museum of Topkapi Palace (Istanbul, Republic of Turkey). Based on the analysis of design and system design determined that hats were made of Circassian masters of the XVIII century. Helmet No. 1/810 in shape of the dome relates to the type of bevel. Forged a gilded crown complemented by ornamented Hoop, pads, conical pommel, and ringed barmitsa Persian type. In Cherkessia similar hats were known as Tang (from the Arab. "the Taj", i.e. "crown"). It is most likely that the owner of the helmet was the last Noureddine Crimean khanate, Bahadir Giray (1789-1792) was the son of MuminGirei (?-1747) and grandson of Khan Saadet Giray IV (1717-1724). Helmet No. 1/812по the shape of a dome refers to the type of conal. Forged iron gilded crown complemented by ornamented Hoop, plates and funnel-shaped topping. Dome placed on the manufacture date of the helmet – "1180 of the Hijra" (i.e., 1766-1767 in the Gregorian calendar), as well as the inscription: "Owner Sultan Ali", "Muhammad Giray", "Mansour". Helmet No. 1/811по the shape of a dome refers to the type of cylindrical. Faceted iron supplemented gilt crown ornamented Hoop, conical pommel and Aventail Persian type. On the front of hats placed the inscription, "Sultan Mohammed Ibn AdilGiray". This suggests that the owner of the helmet could be the son of Nureddin (1718), serasker Budjaka and Editcol (1727-1728) Adil Ibn Selim I Giray or seraskier EditcolAdil Ibn Selim III Giray (1766-1767). In the framework of the interdisciplinary research were made copies of these helmets, which have become the object of scientific experiments aimed at the study of the functional properties of the considered hats. According to the results of the experimental tests it was found that all three of the helmet provide very reliable protection of the head and neck of the warrior from the cutting and cut-and-cutting blows of the enemy. The saber blade slips and falls from the smooth crown of agolove. In this case, the high dome of the helmet No. 1/810 absorbs shock and convex faces helmet No. 1/811 perform the function of reinforcing ribs. In some cases, the blade is sliding by inertia at the clavicle the defending warrior, but brings them no significant harm, as the blade meets the double layer segmented armor (blade aventails and shoulder part of the vessel shell ring).