The falling buffe is 16th century

armour Armour (British English) or armor (American English; see spelling differences) is a covering used to protect an object, individual, or vehicle from physical injury or damage, especially direct contact weapons or projectiles during combat, or fr ...

for the throat and lower face. It evolved from the

bevor A bevor ( ) or beaver is a piece of plate armour designed to protect the neck, much like a gorget. Etymology The word “bevor” or “beaver” is derived from Old French ''baver'', meaning ‘to dribble’. This is a reference to the effect o ...

and was composed of several lames, retained in place by spring catches, which could be lowered for better ventilation and vision. It was often attached to the otherwise open-faced helmet, the

burgonet The burgonet helmet (sometimes called a burgundian sallet) was a Renaissance-era and early modern combat helmet. It was the successor of the sallet. Characteristics The burgonet helmet is characterised by a skull with a large fixed or hinged p ...

References

Medieval helmets Western plate armour {{armour-stub