Hi to everyone on PF ,
What better way to start my review year than to go a little berserk and there could be no more suitable piece than the latest from Nuts Planet , I am of course referring to the Viking Berserker bust that they recently released late in 2014 .
During the Viking Age, these “warrior-shamans” typically fell into two groups: the berserkers (Old Norse berserkir, “bear-shirts”) andúlfheðnar (pronounced “oolv-HETH-nahr” with a hard “th” as in “the;” Old Norse for “wolf-hides”).
The berserkers and úlfheðnar shared a common set of shamanic practices, with the only substantial difference being that the totem animal of the berserkers was, as the name implies, the bear, while that of theúlfheðnar was the wolf. These names are a reference to the practice of dressing in a ritual costume made from the hide of the totem animal, an outward reminder of the wearer’s having gone beyond the confines of his humanity and become a possessed predator warrior.
On the battlefield, the berserker or úlfheðinn would often enter the fray naked but for his animal mask and pelts, howling, roaring, and running amok with godly or demonic courage.......
As the Ynglinga Saga puts it,
Looking for the definition of the word berserk in the Oxford English Dictionary we find :
As you can see a very interesting subject and it’s hard to imagine a grislier or more frightening thing to encounter on the battlefield.
What better way to start my review year than to go a little berserk and there could be no more suitable piece than the latest from Nuts Planet , I am of course referring to the Viking Berserker bust that they recently released late in 2014 .
During the Viking Age, these “warrior-shamans” typically fell into two groups: the berserkers (Old Norse berserkir, “bear-shirts”) andúlfheðnar (pronounced “oolv-HETH-nahr” with a hard “th” as in “the;” Old Norse for “wolf-hides”).
The berserkers and úlfheðnar shared a common set of shamanic practices, with the only substantial difference being that the totem animal of the berserkers was, as the name implies, the bear, while that of theúlfheðnar was the wolf. These names are a reference to the practice of dressing in a ritual costume made from the hide of the totem animal, an outward reminder of the wearer’s having gone beyond the confines of his humanity and become a possessed predator warrior.
On the battlefield, the berserker or úlfheðinn would often enter the fray naked but for his animal mask and pelts, howling, roaring, and running amok with godly or demonic courage.......
As the Ynglinga Saga puts it,
Odin’s men [berserkers and úlfheðnar] went armor-less into battle and were as crazed as dogs or wolves and as strong as bears or bulls. They bit their shields and slew men, while they themselves were harmed by neither fire nor iron. This is called “going berserk.”
Out of control with anger or excitement; wild or frenzied
Books are many , including tales of myths and legends from the Vikings times as well of course from the equiptment and lifestyles 
For me though I would recommend this book (available on Amazon) great references and colour .....from the Europa Militaria Special series (No 6)
The period is a favourite among reenactors as well :
As you can see a very interesting subject and it’s hard to imagine a grislier or more frightening thing to encounter on the battlefield.
Continued in next post .....where we will open the box!!!:
Nap
