desired characteristics of a hard outer surface, with a ductile inner layer which prevented shattering. Many barbutes feature a low front-to-back ridge, raised from the top of the helmet's skull; this served to strengthen the helmet without adding a significant amount of weight. References Bibliography Grancsay, Stephen V. (1963) Sculpture in Steel: A Milanese Renaissance Barbute, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, New Series, Vol. 21, No. 5 (Jan., 1963), pp. 182–191, Published by: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Oakeshott, Ewart (1980) European Weapons and Armour: From the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution. Lutterworth Press. Pyhrr, Stuart W. (1989) European Armor from the Imperial Ottoman Arsenal, Metropolitan Museum Journal, Vol. 24 (1989), pp. 85–116, The University of Chicago Press on behalf of The Metropolitan Museum of Art External links Medieval helmets