Help Selecting Chain Mail -- myArmoury.com

Eric G. · Posted: Wed 13 Apr, 2011 5:45 pm Post subject: Help Selecting Chain Mail

As of today my collection only consists of weapons. I've been considering changing that, and I think that I want to do so by buying a hauberk.

I am very concerned with buying something that I will be happy with for a long time. Can those of you that own chain mail recommend any particular hauberk? I have put some thought into this, and I think I am looking for the following things:

Something aesthetically pleasing
Functional (nothing made of aluminum)
Not too expensive, if possible...
Moderate to high historical accuracy
Easy to take care of

I realize that the last two items on the list might not be completely compatible. I'm hoping for a nice balance between the two, but I'm sure the points presented by those who reply will sway my opinion. Someone recommended ringmesh.com on a thread I saw on SBG, but I just don't know enough about it to fully trust an independent decision.

As always, pictures of your own mail will be very much appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your help!

William Frisbee · Posted: Wed 13 Apr, 2011 8:57 pm Post subject:

Go to Kult of Athena.

Get the GDFB Chain Mail Hauberk four wedge riveted in one solid flattened ring in Mild Steel for $429.95. Looks good, decently historically accurate, and light.

http://www.kultofathena.com/armor-body.asp

Thom R. · Posted: Wed 13 Apr, 2011 9:05 pm Post subject:

I would suggest you peruse this thread from spotlight topics

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=19189

and this from the featured articles

http://www.myArmoury.com/feature_mail.html

before doing anything....... tr

Craig Peters · Posted: Wed 13 Apr, 2011 9:58 pm Post subject:

I second what Thom says. If you're going to purchase mail, it's best to educate yourself about it as much as possible first.

Eric G. · Posted: Wed 13 Apr, 2011 10:17 pm Post subject:

Jeremy V. Krause · Posted: Wed 13 Apr, 2011 11:00 pm Post subject:

Randall Moffett · Posted: Thu 14 Apr, 2011 6:28 am Post subject:

..... Dan in the thread Thom just posted clearly states it is not his purpose from keeping people from buying the riveted mail readily available, only to be aware of it short comings, especially for testing.

To me, who has handled literally hundreds of bits of authentic mail I'd much rather have people in cheaper riveted mail than butted or none at all. There are a lot of guys who do not even bother as it is so hard to find one that is spot on 100% right, for good reason, there are a plethora of technical and design differences in the manufacture. Some look very good actually.

The mass produced ones do seem to be rather sharp. I have been trying to think of an easy way of fixing this but still no idea besides sandpaper.

RPM

William Frisbee · Posted: Thu 14 Apr, 2011 6:38 am Post subject:

Yes, I own a haubergeon from GDFB, four riveted links in one solid link.

Is it perfect? Nope. But for the price you pay for it you can't get much better. I've not handled Jeff Hedgecock's maille directly so I don't know how it compares to it, but having owned a Forth Amoury Haubergeon in the past, I would say I like the quality of metal in the GDFB armour.

What do I like about it? Its much more comfortable than any other haubergeon I've worn before due to its weight and fit. It isn't as baggy as the other haubergeons I've had before.

The metal is SLIGHTLY blackened, which seems to help resist oxidation, especially considering the fact that at least once a month I am wearing it all day during my WMA school's open sparring day. No rust has formed on it yet. Also the arm attachements and chest areas all feature some very nice fittings for both expansion joints and contraction points, it moves with you very well.

I can EASILY get spare rings for it for a low price.

And it looks good on me. =)

Eric G. · Posted: Thu 14 Apr, 2011 9:36 pm Post subject:

William and all,

Thanks so much for all your help. I really appreciate it. I have heard a few comments about some mail being a little sharp. I'm guessing that the one you recommended has no problems with that?

Now I just have to convince the wife...

Christian G. Cameron · Posted: Fri 15 Apr, 2011 4:06 am Post subject:

I'd like to thank you guys, too. I've been lurking on this topic... I have read the articles, and I get it.

There are certain items in historical reenacting that we can't seem to get the economics of to reproduce. 18th c. stockings come to mind. 18th c. fuzee drive watches.

And now--chain maille.

But this thread helped clarify the whole thing, and I appreciate it!

William Frisbee · Posted: Fri 15 Apr, 2011 4:36 am Post subject:

Josh Warren · Posted: Fri 15 Apr, 2011 9:25 am Post subject:

I want to toss in another recommendation for the GDFB alternating solid/riveted hauberk, as I just got one a couple weeks ago. It's wonderful. I second everything that Mr. Frisbee has said about it.

Thom R. · Posted: Fri 15 Apr, 2011 2:44 pm Post subject:

I have found that the wedge riveted mail is definitely kinder to arming garments than the dome riveted but it might not be period appropriate for you depending on how early of a depiction you are looking to do.

here is another good thread if you haven't seen it

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=13424

as it brings up the use of gores for fitting the body and gussets at the elbows and armpits. it can make a huge difference in my experience to have your mail properly fitted.

Eric G. · Posted: Fri 15 Apr, 2011 9:23 pm Post subject:

William Frisbee · Posted: Fri 15 Apr, 2011 11:06 pm Post subject:

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Fri 15 Apr, 2011 11:31 pm Post subject:

William Frisbee · Posted: Sat 16 Apr, 2011 6:56 am Post subject:

Jean has a good point.

My last Haubergeon was the stainless one he posted. I wasn't happy with the extra weight (27 or so lbs vs about 17 for my current one), and the "shiny" was kind of much which is why I made the move to the new, lighter piece.

I just ordered some spare rings and rivets from Kult along with the tool needed to set the rivet. That will allow me to do repairs and some better fitting of the sleeves.

I get all my stuff that isn't custom made from Kult due to the customer service and fast shipping.

Ian S LaSpina · Posted: Mon 18 Apr, 2011 6:24 am Post subject:

Sean Manning · Posted: Tue 19 Apr, 2011 7:59 am Post subject:

Word to the wise: Get lots of measurements, a weight, and whether the armour is galvanized. Some modern mail is oversized and very heavy. Galvanizing often makes the weight worse, but it makes cleaning trivial. Indian suppliers sometimes change their production methods, and distributors sometimes change suppliers, so not all mail from distributor X is the same.

William Frisbee · Posted: Tue 19 Apr, 2011 8:41 am Post subject: