Chainmail Armour

Mail was thought to have been invented by the Celts. The earliest example was found in a Celtic Chieftain's burial in Romania. It was a popular form of defence for the warrior elite of the Viking and Early Medieval periods. It is often (wrongly) referred to as chainmail but this terminology was first introduced by Sir Walter Scott in 1822 in his novel "The Fortunes of Nigel". In the medieval period it was simply known as "Mail".

The coif was designed to protect the head, neck and shoulders against damage from bladed weapons. It was very effective at doing so - the Royal Armouries have conducted tests with well-made mail and concluded that "it is almost impossible to penetrate using any conventional medieval weapon". The Mail Coif is constructed by hand from hundreds of steel rings and will fit all but the largest of heads. The rings are uncoated mild steel to provide an authentic finish and covered in a light layer of oil to prevent rust.

This item is crafted using mild steel rings. If you require even greater durability please check our high tensile steel products or our Riveted Chainmail section.

Finish: Natural
Material: 16 gauge Mild Steel
Ring Type: Round / Butted
Diameter: 9.5mm

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Buy the Chainmail Coif - Square Face - Butted Round Ring Steel with confidence from the UK’s leading chainmail retailer.

Our Chainmail Coif is handcrafted using riveted steel rings. The rings are uncoated mild steel to provide an authentic finish and covered in a light layer of oil to prevent rust. If you don’t require this level of durability please check our Butted Chainmail section for cheaper prices.

Finish: Natural
Material: 16 gauge Mild Steel
Ring Type: Round / Dome Head Riveted
Diameter: 9mm
Weight: 3.5kg

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Buy the Chainmail Coif - Square Face - Dome Riveted Round Ring Steel with confidence from the UK’s leading chainmail retailer.

Mail was thought to have been invented by the Celts. The earliest example was found in a Celtic Chieftain's burial in Romania. It was a popular form of defence for the warrior elite of the Viking and Early Medieval periods. It is often (wrongly) referred to as chainmail but this terminology was first introduced by Sir Walter Scott in 1822 in his novel "The Fortunes of Nigel". In the medieval period, it was simply known as "Mail".

Chainmail Standards surround and protect the upper chest and throat between the breastplate and helm. This mail Standard is crafted in high tensile steel, and though butted construction has less structural integrity than riveted mail this steel type will provide a sturdier mail garment than mild steel. The mail is attached to a leather collar and it is fastened with 2 buckled leather straps.

Finish: Natural
Material: 16 gauge High Tensile Steel
Ring Type: Round / Butted
Diameter: 8mm
Weight: 812g
Circumference: 60cm
Height: 16cm

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Buy the Chainmail Standard with confidence from the UK’s leading chainmail retailer.

An Aventail is a curtain of chainmail, generally fixed to the bottom edge of a helmet, which protects the neck and shoulders. Our large aventail is constructed from butted high tensile steel rings in a traditional “4 in 1” pattern.

Finish: Natural
Material: 16 gauge High Tensile Steel
Ring Type: Butted / Round
Diameter: 9mm
Weight: 3.348kg
Length (top to base): 38cm

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Buy the Chainmail Aventail - Butted Round Ring Steel with confidence from the UK’s leading chainmail retailer.

Chainmail skirts were designed to protect the upper thigh and groin area and were frequently worn in combination with plate armour during the 14^th century.

The skirt is attached by threading a leather strip of material or a strap through the chainmail and then attaching that to the belt you wear.

Finish: Natural
Material: 16 gauge High Tensile Steel
Ring Type: Round / Butted
Diameter: 9.5mm
Weight: 2.580kg
Length: 35.5cm
Waist: 114cm

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Buy the Chainmail Skirt - Butted Round Ring Steel with confidence from the UK’s leading chainmail retailer.

Belt not included

Our Chainmaille Chausses are constructed from 9mm steel rings with an oiled finish. They are constructed in a traditional “4 in 1” pattern and edged with leather. Designed to be worn over a hose or padded leggings. They feature belt loops and are designed to be suspended from a leather belt (not included).

They are a generous size and can be tightened to the legs for a more fitted fit with leather thonging or cord (not included). They are left open at both ends with many people stitching leather soles to the bottom end to complete the period look.

Finish: Natural
Material: 16 gauge Mild Steel
Ring Type: Round / Butted
Diameter: 9mm
Total Length: 128cm 
Rear Leg Length: 71cm 
Top to Ankle: 106cm 
Foot: 22cm

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Buy the Chainmail Chausses (Leggings) - Butted Round Ring Steel with confidence from the UK’s leading chainmail retailer.

Bag of loose 16 gauge mild steel rings for repair or extension of butted chainmail items. There are enough rings in this pack to construct a chainmail coif.

Supplied in packs of approximately 3500 rings.

Finish: Natural
Material: 16 gauge Mild Steel
Ring Type: Butted
Diameter: 9.5mm
Weight: 1890g

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Buy Chainmail Rings with confidence from the UK’s leading chainmail retailer.

Our pair of chainmail pliers are the ideal tool for constructing or repairing chainmail items. These square nosed pliers are hand forged like the originals and are specially constructed for this task.

1 pair of medieval style chainmail pliers.

Length: 23cm long

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Buy the Chainmail Pliers with confidence from the UK’s leading chainmail retailer.

Our Haubergeon is hand crafted using butted high tensile steel rings. The rings are uncoated mild steel to provide an authentic finish and covered in a light layer of oil to prevent rust.

Size: Chest measures 44”. Please remember to take your measurements when wearing your gambeson and undergarments.

Finish: Natural
Material: 16 gauge High Tensile Steel
Ring Type: Round / Butted
Diameter: 9.5mm

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Buy the Chainmail Haubergeon - Half Sleeve - Butted Round Ring Steel with confidence from the UK’s leading chainmail retailer.