Vatican Swiss Guard swaps their traditional metal helmets for $1,000 3D printed plastic version in bid to keep cool as they guard the Pope
- The new helmets, made of a thermoplastic, distributed to corps on Tuesday
- Marks the 513th anniversary of their foundation as a mercenary force in 1506
- New helmets will not heat up like the metal ones
The Vatican’s Swiss Guard, the colourfully dressed mini-army that helps protect the pope, will have cooler heads now they have swapped their ancient metal helmets for ones made by 3-D printers.
The new helmets, made of a thermoplastic, were distributed to the corps on Tuesday, the 513th anniversary of their foundation as a mercenary force in 1506, the Vatican said.
They are nearly identical in appearance to the previous version but bear the coat of arms of Pope Julius II, who first used the corps for his personal protection.
The new helmets being painted:Made of a thermoplastic, they were distributed to the corps on Tuesday, the 513th anniversary of their foundation as a mercenary force in 1506, the Vatican said.
Members of the Swiss Guard are seen before the Pope Francis’ ‘Urbi et Orbi’ message at the Vatican, December 25, 2018. new helmets, made of a thermoplastic, were distributed to the corps on Tuesday, the 513th anniversary of their foundation as a mercenary force in 1506, the Vatican said.
One of the main advantages of the new helmets is that they will not heat up like the metal ones, meaning the guards will sweat less, said spokesman Urs Breitenmoser.
News site Swissinfo.ch said the old helmets, made in Austria, weighed two kilograms (4.4 pounds), while the new ones, made in Switzerland, weigh 570 grams (1.2 pounds).
To make the new helmets, the 16th-century original was scanned, and then ‘cleaned up’ on a computer before being sent to a 3D printer.
To make the new helmets, the 16th-century original was scanned, and then ‘cleaned up’ on a computer before being sent to a 3D printer
Morion helmets of the Pontifical Swiss Guard of the Vatican are painted in the company ‘3d-prototyp.com’ by Marcus Risi in Dallenwil, Switzerland, 21 June 2018.
The Vatican has ordered 120 helmets for 2019, financed by donations
It takes approximately one day to produce a new helmet, and they also protect against ultraviolet rays and are fitted with air vents.
However, each costs around $1,000 to print
The Vatican has ordered 120 helmets for 2019, financed by donations.
The Swiss Guard wear the ceremonial uniforms of yellow, red and blue stripes at official papal services such as Masses and visits by heads of state.
The force, which numbers about 110 men, normally dress in plain clothes and more simple blue caped uniforms with berets.