Ancient chainmail

[Vasiliyi]

So, I have recently taken up making my own chainmail, which a very cool process and I will post screenies when Im done.

Heres my question, what design of anceint chainmail did the celts use? Did they use 4-1 or 8-1? also did they "rivet" their rings together or just clamped them shut? Can anyone post any links? I have found a few, but they are not very informative. Thanks

[geala]

The RAT forum will help you with many questions about ancient warfare.

Perhaps this thread http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/vie...c+mail#p233734, third post, could give you some hints.

[Watchman]

AFAIK the "universal" 4-1 linking and riveted rings were the "industry standard" - butted rings would have been far too vulnerable to strikes of the ubiquitous spear and javelin, while the metallurgical prequisites of punched, solid "washer" rings wouldn't be developed for another millenia and half or so.

[Ariovistus Maximus]

I don't know about the Celts, but the Lorica Hamata was 4-to-1 and rivited. And IIRC the Hamata was developed from Celtic mail.



Good luck! Awesome idea. I've seen chain mail and it is amazingly heavy! Wowzers!

[Vasiliyi]

Yah, its starting to get nice and heavy.. here is what I have finished so far. Im comparing it to my arm. This is 5 hours of work... Sadly.

[I of the Storm]

Yah, its starting to get nice and heavy.. here is what I have finished so far. Im comparing it to my arm. This is 5 hours of work... Sadly.

knitting a chainmail takes a while unfortunately. But it looks great so far! Good work!

[ziegenpeter]

AFAIK there where also versions with one line of full rings and one line of riveted rings.
From my own experience, I can tell you making your own riveted chainmail is serious business

[satalexton]

well, I made and wore one using those tiny binder rings from the office =P It made me impervious to ruler attacks.

where'd u get those rings? I'm tempted to make my own now...Hysteroi Pezhetairoi FTW!

[ziegenpeter]

Well I dont know where you are living, but I got mine from the LARP store in my town.
But you can surely find sth like this http://www.chainmailconnection.com/
in all larger countries.

[Vasiliyi]

I went to my local hardware store, and bought 2 sets of pliers, a large thick nail (a little thicker than 1/4 inch) and 200ft of 16 gauge galvanized steel.

I recomend buy some thin utility gloves for coiling the wire around the nail as that can hurt after a few times. Actually my entired right hand is sore from making it.

Oh, Sat, im making my own rings. perhaps ill make a quick tutorial and post it.

[satalexton]

oh that would be appreciated =]

[the man with no name]

What does AFAIK mean?

[Scud]

What does AFAIK mean?

As far as I know....AFAIK.

[A Terribly Harmful Name]

You'd do better at ordering your own from mail makers. Go for riveted mail, because making mail yourself can be demanding in patience and time.

I was thinking myself about ordering a mail hauberk and a gambeson, just to experiment.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Looks more like ringmail, not chain, too big.

[Vasiliyi]

You'd do better at ordering your own from mail makers. Go for riveted mail, because making mail yourself can be demanding in patience and time.

I was thinking myself about ordering a mail hauberk and a gambeson, just to experiment.

I looked around and I found suits that cost $200 and up. Besides, making it is half the experience. If you read the last chapter of my aar, you would know what I mean.

Looks more like ringmail, not chain, too big.

Hmm, perhaps because i stretched it a bit. Oh well. I like it.


Anyways, I found the site that I used for making mine so if anyones interested. http://users.frii.com/dnorris/maillearmor.html

[teh1337tim]

think you'll be interested in this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqlm...eature=channel

[Lovejoy]

How fat have you come? I want regular updates!

[Watchman]

Looks more like ringmail, not chain, too big.

"Ringmail", AFAIK, is the kind of "proto-maille" where you attach separate metal rings to a fabric or leather base though...

AFAIK there where also versions with one line of full rings and one line of riveted rings.

Yeah, turns up around the Middle Ages AFAIK. Flat "washers" punched out of metal plate, joined with riveted links (for obvious reasons); apparently the Muslims at least liked to emboss the solid links with religious quotes while they were at it...

[ziegenpeter]

Hmm if I remember right it were the romans who used it. From medieval timesI only know riveted CMs.

The lorica hamata is a type of mail armour used by the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. During the 1st century it was starting to be supplemented by lorica segmentata, but had been reintroduced as sole standard-issue armor by the 4th century. It was issued for both primary Legionary and secondary Auxilia troops. They were mostly manufactured out of bronze or iron. It alternated with rows of closed washer-like rings, and riveted rings running horizontally, this produced a very flexible, reliable and strong armour. Each ring had an inside diameter of about 5 mm, and an outside diameter of about 7 mm.

[Watchman]

Oh, they got around to making it too ? Didn't know that; I've only read of it in Medieval contexts (Middle Eastern ones mostly, IIRC; the Euros started moving more towards solid plate).

[the man with no name]

CAn we see it now?

[satalexton]

i'm actually making one myself, abit very very slowly...

[Mediteran]

now you gave me an idea about making my own :)

does anyone know of i site where i can see how to make a lorica hamata, or segmentata?

[satalexton]

I'm making keltoi chain, the type the pezhetairoi and thorakitai would wear.

[Ariovistus Maximus]

now you gave me an idea about making my own :)

does anyone know of i site where i can see how to make a lorica hamata, or segmentata?

Here's some basic info: http://www.armatura.connectfree.co.u...eg/making1.htm

It looks like you basically buy the strips and tie them together yourself. I suppose you'd save a bit of $$$ though.

I've seen some youtube stuff about making segmentata also.

For hamata, you could just do some chainmail, if you're not too picky. I mean, there can't be THAT much difference from one suit to another...

[Celtic_Punk]

there is a definite difference between two suits. they were hand made, i guarantee one suit of Celtic mail would be better protection than a different suit.

[Vasiliyi]

Oh, well I haven't had to much time to work on it, but i have most of the Front done. Ill try to post a picture tomorow

[Megas Methuselah]

Please do. It really looks awesome!

I assume, from what you previously posted, that this will end up looking like Celtic chainmail from EB, right? No sleeves, and a little "cape" at the back (the extra shoulder protection)? If so, that is so cool.

[Vasiliyi]

I layed it out over a shirt to show the general size of it. I still have much work left, and have been pretty busy, but this is what I have done.

EDIT: I know it looks fairly short, but if you hold it up it stretches a few more inches.