Armor - Riveted Aluminum Mail Shirt

Armor - Riveted Aluminum Mail Shirt

Perfect for reenactors or stage performers who need authentic looks, but don't need authentic weight. This extremely light mail utilizes aluminum rings, riveted for durability. Even if you wear it all day long, you'll hardly notice the weight. Outer diameter of rings is about 1/2". Shirt weighs only 7 lbs.

From the Celts of 300 B.C. to 18th Century Asia, mail was one of the most prized items a warrior could own. The "Foe of Swords" probably derived the name "mail" from the latin "Macula" meaning net.

Made from mild steel similar to the originals; because of the large surface area to volume of each link, this armor was highly susceptible to rust. In fact, most mail was allowed to darken and was then oiled.

16 gauge links are combined in the "International" pattern - 4 links through a 5th - common to all European mail. The outer link diameter of each link is about 7/16 of an inch; inner link diameter is about 3/8 of an inch. Mail shirts are up to 54" around the chest, 33" long, sleeves hang to just below the elbows on average-height warriors and weigh 23 lbs. We recommend to keep this mail oiled at all times.