Any mail tailors in the UK or Spain? -- myArmoury.com

Ivar Losna

Hi, I'm new to these forums and I have a question that I hope someone might be able to help me with. I'll be traveling to Spain (Andalucía) once and the UK (London) once this year. I am wondering if there are any competent armor makers in either of those places who could tailor a hauberk of riveted mail for me (tailored considering that it will be on top of gambeson). Style, 10th-early 11th century Norse. I'd appreciate any help on finding someone who could do this.

T. Kew · Posted: Sun 03 Mar, 2019 3:54 am Post subject:

Mark Hale (Cap a Pie) here in the UK can do tailoring, but it's not a 'while you wait' process.

Leo Todeschini · Industry Professional

Agreed - Cap a Pie

Tod

Iagoba Ferreira · Posted: Sun 03 Mar, 2019 12:20 pm Post subject:

I know none in Spain.

Years ago Julio del Junco made some, but never saw one or meet him.
His website haven't been updated for years.
http://cotasdemalla.es

Michael A. H. · Posted: Sun 03 Mar, 2019 12:59 pm Post subject: Cap a pie

Cap a pie list this under the heading ”shirts” but then call it a haubergon:

https://www.capapie.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_68&product_id=51

It has a mix of flat punched rings with round rings that are riveted. It says that this ”shirt” is ”... perfect for early period, pre C11 ... ”, meaning I guess pre 11th century, or 10th century in my book.

It looks very nice ... my questions:

1) Would this be acceptable to fit into the kit of an Anglo Saxon / Norse of the 10th century (i.e. Pre 11th century as stated)
2) Are the maille shirts made in the UK / Europe, or are they rebranded items from India, etc....
3) Is their quality sufficient to withstand ”actual” use - i.e. Would I get immediately killed wearing this in the 10th century :-)

I am looking for an affordable, but quality maille shirt to complete a 10th century (late ”viking” age) kit for an anglo saxon of ”upper middle class” standing ... something that will not immediately fall apart when used in a fairly realistic confrontation (using blunts).

Thanks for the advice,
Michael

Dan Howard · Posted: Sun 03 Mar, 2019 2:33 pm Post subject:

Haubergeon literally means "little hauberk". It is a mail shirt.

The links are too large. Archaeological reports and museum catalogues list the Outside Diameter while mail manufacturers list the Inside Diameter. Those 9 mm links are actually more like 12-13 mm links.

Yes you would get killed if you wore it in the 10th century. The most common threat was from spears and arrows and the Indian-made mail is useless against weapon points. It would be OK for SCA or rebated steel combat. It is stronger and lighter than the butted mail that used to be worn for these activities.

Nothing you buy on the market will be similar to historical mail.
http://myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=19189

There is no such thing as "affordable" AND "quality". You can have one or the other but not both. If you want something that resembles historical mail, you will need to get it custom-made. Expect to pay several thousand dollars. It isn't just the links but it also involves some fairly specific tailoring. A proper mail haubergeon is not just a tube with sleeves like you get on the market today.