Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
As strange as fantasy designs can be, sometimes you find some rare, unique examples of real historical arms and armor that are surprisingly close. Is spikey armor one of those cases?
Here is what I've found. It's not exactly as crazy as the Knight of Thorns from Dark Souls, or the similar armor from Dungeons & Dragons, but well... there are some spikes here and there.
*** Sources / Credits ***
Museums
wallacelive.wallacecollection.org/eMP/eMuseumPlus
royalarmouries.org/collection
rom.on.ca
Original suits of plate
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/35823
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/22277?pg=10&rpp=20&offset=40&ft=Armor
The "Wildman Suit", often mislabeled(?) as "Siberian Bear hunting armor"
snopes.com/fact-check/siberian-bear-hunting-suit-armor
houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/art_exhibits/article/wildman-suit-origins-19549063.php
"Armor" of the Lord High Executioner of the state of Rewah, India
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_executioner.jpg
The Pickelhaubed (spiked helmet)
historynet.com/the-purpose-of-the-pickelhaube-helmet
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Collezione_di_Colin_Grout,_item_25_(cropped).png
Spikey helmets made of puffer fish, from Kiribati (Micronesia)
smarthistory.org/kiribati-armor
ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/kiribati-armor-0017548
A "clawd arm defense" (forearm guard)
https://www.artic.edu/artworks/106225/clawed-arm-defense
Gauntlets of Emperor Maximilian I.
archeology.dalatcamping.net/emperor-maximilian-is-armored-gauntlets-the-iron-fist-of-power-and-prestige
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gauntlets_Maximilian_Helmschmied_HJRK_A_58a_202009_08.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Late_Medieval_(c.14th_Century)_copper_alloy_knuckle_guard_plate_with_central_spike._(FindID_743154).jpg
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
patreon.com/skallagrim
youtube.com/channel/UC3WIohkLkH4GFoMrrWVZZFA/join
Merch:
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
GamerSupps powdered energy drinks and other stuff (I particularly like the SUS snack bars):
gamersupps.gg/Skall
I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHWvZEmtD
Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend:
US - amazon.com/shop/skallagrimnilsson
Canada - amzn.to/2HeOCMA
*** Other social media ***
https://bsky.app/profile/skallagrim.bsky.social
facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
instagram.com/skallagrim_yt
#skallagrim #history #fantasy #armor #medieval #knight #dnd #darksouls
As strange as fantasy designs can be, sometimes you find some rare, unique examples of real historical arms and armor that are surprisingly close. Is spikey armor one of those cases?
Here is what I've found. It's not exactly as crazy as the Knight of Thorns from Dark Souls, or the similar armor from Dungeons & Dragons, but well... there are some spikes here and there.
*** Sources / Credits ***
Museums
wallacelive.wallacecollection.org/eMP/eMuseumPlus
royalarmouries.org/collection
rom.on.ca
Original suits of plate
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/35823
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/22277?pg=10&rpp=20&offset=40&ft=Armor
The "Wildman Suit", often mislabeled(?) as "Siberian Bear hunting armor"
snopes.com/fact-check/siberian-bear-hunting-suit-armor
houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/art_exhibits/article/wildman-suit-origins-19549063.php
"Armor" of the Lord High Executioner of the state of Rewah, India
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_executioner.jpg
The Pickelhaubed (spiked helmet)
historynet.com/the-purpose-of-the-pickelhaube-helmet
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Collezione_di_Colin_Grout,_item_25_(cropped).png
Spikey helmets made of puffer fish, from Kiribati (Micronesia)
smarthistory.org/kiribati-armor
ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/kiribati-armor-0017548
A "clawd arm defense" (forearm guard)
https://www.artic.edu/artworks/106225/clawed-arm-defense
Gauntlets of Emperor Maximilian I.
archeology.dalatcamping.net/emperor-maximilian-is-armored-gauntlets-the-iron-fist-of-power-and-prestige
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gauntlets_Maximilian_Helmschmied_HJRK_A_58a_202009_08.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Late_Medieval_(c.14th_Century)_copper_alloy_knuckle_guard_plate_with_central_spike._(FindID_743154).jpg
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
patreon.com/skallagrim
youtube.com/channel/UC3WIohkLkH4GFoMrrWVZZFA/join
Merch:
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
GamerSupps powdered energy drinks and other stuff (I particularly like the SUS snack bars):
gamersupps.gg/Skall
I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHWvZEmtD
Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend:
US - amazon.com/shop/skallagrimnilsson
Canada - amzn.to/2HeOCMA
*** Other social media ***
https://bsky.app/profile/skallagrim.bsky.social
facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
instagram.com/skallagrim_yt
#skallagrim #history #fantasy #armor #medieval #knight #dnd #darksouls
