I've been reviewing the BBC's "The Last Kingdom" and I noticed a certain numbers of coifs in highlights at the very first chapter. Not only the coifs, but I also saw gambersons (which I thought they would only emerge later).

Anyway, I would like to know when the mail coifs began to emerge? We can say that they had similar efficiency to any other piece of mail armour? It was common for the more wealthier soldiers, which still couldn't pay a hauberk, at least afford a mail coif? Or those who wear coifs necessarily already had hauberks?

To put it another way: coifs were less common than mail? which would means that they were made necessarily to accompany hauberks? Or could be cases of soldiers (such as the eleventh century's serjeants) that would buy coifs to protect themlselves, as if the mail hood had a more independent production?

I will just toss out quite likely 11th century as the one where I believe I see NW European style full head covering (maybe no face flap) mail coifs go from rare if not practically non-extant to shown in mass. Look at numerous Bayeux tapestry panels (unveiled 1077) showing lines of combatants with nasal helm and some form of head armor covering, generally accepted here is meant to depict mail. In art earlier to 11th century providence , it is much harder to find this.

"Start to appear" is going to be very tough to prove. I would not disbelieve it if one of the qualified posters here such as Dan Howard gave us a very early cataphract example or something resembling a partial coif or neck protector.

We can certainly see museum helms with veils or neck protectors asserted as dating from long before 11th century. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spangenhelm#/media/File:Cologne,_Cathedral_treasury06.jpg

Anyhow, I will enjoy learning from those who correct me, and seeing all of the other ideas your post generates. Good luck.

Not to change the topic but while there is a lot stylistically to criticize 'The Last Kingdom' for, it was nice to see all the chain mail be actual chain mail and not knitting spray painted silver.

I'm pretty sure that mail coifs were used by Sasannids.

The history of mail in the movies is a dissertation all of its own...

Most of the sprayed stuff is actually electroplated, I know, still don mine every now and again. I often get paid more to wear that than don a fabulously accurate harness and joust for real. Such is the glamorous life of the historical interpreter!

Its often down to what armouring company gets the contract to do the production, then what the production/costume designer chooses out of that stock.

Which is why I always tell people to ignore tv and film as history wasn't designed= and often had reasons for existing totally unrelated to the principle reason for productions, entertainment.

Interesting to see your comment Dan. Not that there will be much movement from there to early med Europe, but that's something I didn't know. have learnt something, i can go back to bed now :-)