01.07.2026 23:30
The steel helmet belonging to Osman Gazi, the founder of the Ottoman Empire, was identified in the inventory of the New York Metropolitan Museum. Researcher and author Hakan Yılmaz stated that the helmet proves Osman Gazi's sultanate and the establishment of an independent state.
A legacy from the founding period of the Ottoman Empire has emerged in America. Historian and researcher author Hakan Yılmaz, an expert in Early Modern History, announced that he has identified a steel helmet belonging to Osman Gazi, the founder of the Ottoman Empire, in the inventory of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, following the first coin in Qatar and the original genealogy in Paris.
Responding to journalist İbrahim Öge's questions, Hakan Yılmaz stated that this rare artifact, bearing a tughra belonging to Osman Gazi and a flawless Kayı stamp, puts an end to all hypothetical debates about the founder leader's ethnic origin, independent sultanate status, and leadership above the beyliks. Yılmaz said:
"THIS HELMET ENDS THE DEBATES ABOUT OSMAN BEY'S ETHNIC ORIGIN" "This helmet not only confirms that Osman Bey was a 'Sultan' and founded an independent state, but also puts an end to the long-debated discussions about his ethnic origin and tribal status."
Hakan Yılmaz also explained that on the silver-inlaid Arabic main inscription on the helmet, Osman Gazi introduces himself with the titles 'Sultanü'l-a'zam' (Great Sultan) and 'Hanü'l-mu'azzam' (Great Khan), and on the medallion on the reverse side, the phrase 'Nasırü'd-din 'OsmanSultan' is inscribed. He noted that these titles completely refute fictional academic claims that Osman Gazi was not an independent sultan.
Yılmaz continued: "As is known, ancient historical archive documents were previously stored in the warehouses and outbuildings of Hagia Sophia, while ancient military items, weapons, and armor were kept in the crypt of Hagia Irene, which was used as an arsenal. This practice, which began after the conquest of Istanbul, continued for nearly four hundred years until the death of Mahmud II. The helmets and armor sets of Osman Gazi and the following two sultans, which I have seen in European museums or in the hands of private collectors, passed from one collector to another for several generations after being sold or acquired. Ultimately, some of these were transferred to museums, while others remained in the hands of a few famous collectors. Finally, Osman Gazi's helmet, which became part of George Cameron Stone's collection, was donated by his heirs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art after his death in 1935, according to his will."
MURAD HÜDAVENDİGAR'S HELMET Answering the question of why the helmet had not been noticed until now, Hakan Yılmaz highlighted clear errors in a study conducted 11 years ago by David G. Alexander, an expert in this field. He noted that although Alexander well described the physical features of the helmet in the museum catalog, he made omissions in the inscription text and could not read the final section where the name 'Osman' appears.
Yılmaz continued: "Besides Osman Gazi's helmet, I have also come across another helmet in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exactly the same size, whose design closely resembles Orhan Gazi's helmet in the Military Museum. From its main inscription, it is immediately clear that this helmet belongs to Murad Hüdavendigar. Additionally, a helmet from Phillippe Missillier's collection, which was put up for auction at Sotheby's a few years ago, can be identified as another helmet belonging to Orhan based on the similarity of its layout and the phrases in its inscription. Apart from these, another helmet, understood from its inscription to date from the early founding period and similar in design to Osman Han's helmet, is in the Henry Walters Art Museum collection. Furthermore, another helmet with a different body design, featuring the letter 'Ayn' on the front, is also in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. However, my analysis of these helmets is still ongoing. Each of them has a Kayı stamp on the same spot on the front, with an identical design."
"THE HELMET SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO TURKEY" Calling on authorities, Hakan Yılmaz emphasized that bureaucratic steps should be taken quickly to bring the coin in Qatar, the genealogy in Paris, and the helmet in New York to Turkey without delay. Yılmaz said, "The helmet in particular could be displayed in a separate glass case together with the sword inherited from Hazret-i Osman at Topkapı Palace, or it could be exhibited alongside his son Orhan's helmet at the Military Museum. Alternatively, a new museum could be created for all of them in the ancient capital Bursa. They need to be placed before the Turkish people as they should be, so that they can identify this ancient historical heritage from their past, live and in person."