Chain mesh pieces
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Chainmail links are the building blocks of any historical chainmail armour – whether you’re repairing a damaged chainmail tunic, extending a coif, or assembling a complete suit of armour from individual pieces. In this category, you’ll find square chainmail links in various ring types, wire thicknesses and materials, tailored to the most common applications in re-enactment and stage combat.
What are chainmail pieces – and what are they used for?
Chainmail pieces are pre-made squares of interlocking metal rings – in this category, in the standard size of 20 x 20 cm. Unlike ring-by-ring weaving, where each individual ring is inserted by hand, pre-made chainmail pieces save you a considerable amount of time and provide you with a uniform, tested weave ready for immediate use.
The applications are varied: chainmail panels are most commonly used to repair damaged sections – for example, when rings on a hauberk or haubergeon have broken or seams have come apart. They are also suitable for extending existing armour parts, attaching new sections, or as raw material for crafting entire armour components yourself.
For the overall construction of chainmail armour, it is also worth taking a look at the related categories: chainmail coifs protect the head, chainmail vests and chainmail leggings cover the limbs, and chainmail gloves complete the outfit. Anyone wishing to assemble armour from individual parts or expand their collection over time will find the perfect starting point in this category.
Materials: steel, galvanised steel and aluminium
| Material | Suitability | Properties | Care instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel (untreated) | Reenactment | Heavy, historically accurate look and feel, prone to rust if not maintained | Oil regularly, store in a dry place |
| Galvanised steel | Reenactment | More corrosion-resistant than bare steel, suitable for outdoor use, similar weight | Wipe down occasionally, low maintenance |
| Aluminium (steel look) | LARP / Reenactment | Significantly lighter, no rust, suitable for long periods of wear and performers | Maintenance-free, no oiling required |
Untreated steel is the classic choice for serious historical re-enactment: the weight and texture match the original, but require regular oiling to prevent corrosion. Galvanised steel offers a good compromise – slightly more corrosion-resistant and easier to maintain in everyday use, without compromising on appearance or weight. Aluminium with a dark steel finish is the choice for anyone planning long wear times or wishing to remain as mobile as possible at LARP events. The significantly lower weight makes a noticeable difference when wearing a full outfit.
Ring diameter and wire thickness: What do the technical specifications mean?
The technical specifications on the products – inner diameter (ID) and wire thickness – are crucial in determining how well a chain section fits with the rest of your armour and how it performs in use.
Inner diameter (ID): Most chainmail sections in this category have an ID of 8 mm, with a few at 9 mm. Smaller rings result in a denser, finer weave with a higher weight per unit area – historically documented for European knight’s armour of the High and Late Middle Ages. Larger rings appear more open, are slightly lighter and offer greater flexibility, but fit better with components made to the same specifications.
Wire thickness: In this category, you will find variants with 1.5 mm, 1.6 mm and 1.8 mm wire. Thinner wire means lighter weight and greater freedom of movement – ideal for coifs and sleeves. Thicker wire increases robustness and protection, but also makes the mesh heavier and stiffer. For leggings and shirts, which are subject to greater mechanical stress, a thicker wire gauge is recommended.
Important when buying: always choose the same ring type and wire thickness as your existing chainmail – this is the only way to join chain sections seamlessly. You can find individual rings and the right tools in the Chainmail Rings and Accessories category.
Repairing and extending chain mail – here’s how
Carefully inspect the chain mail for broken, bent or missing rings. For larger holes or torn sections, a pre-made chain link is more efficient than inserting individual rings. Make a note of the ring type (round or flat), the inner diameter and the wire thickness of the existing chain – you’ll need this information to select the right replacement section.
Choose a chain link that exactly matches the existing mesh in terms of ring type, inner diameter and wire thickness. Different ring sizes or wire thicknesses are immediately noticeable and weaken the mechanical strength of the connection. The riveting method should also be as identical as possible – if the original has riveted rings, opt for a riveted replacement link.
Using two flat-nose pliers, gently open the edge rings of the chain link slightly sideways (not axially – this weakens the ring). Crochet the open rings into the existing weave and close them again with even pressure. Make sure to consistently follow the 4-in-1 pattern (each ring connects four neighbours). With a bit of practice, you’ll achieve a neat, barely visible seam. You can find suitable pliers and individual rings in the Chainmail Rings and Accessories category.
Yes – chainmail is relatively easy to repair compared to plate armour. As the weave consists of many identical individual rings, damaged areas can be repaired precisely without having to replace the entire armour. Prerequisite: You have the right replacement material (same ring type, same diameter, same wire thickness) and a pair of flat-nose pliers to hand. With a little practice, a solid repair is well within reach.
Historical background: Chain mail from the Early Middle Ages to the Late Middle Ages
The Migration Period and the Early Middle Ages
Simple chainmail (hauberk) made of interlocking iron rings is among the oldest forms of metal protective armour in Europe. Early examples covered the upper body and arms and were worn by warriors from the Migration Period right through to early medieval knights. A padded undergarment – the so-called gambeson – was always worn beneath the chainmail; this cushioned blows and kept the metal away from the body. Without this padding, wearing chainmail would have been hardly practicable.
High Middle Ages: full chainmail armour
In the High Middle Ages, chainmail armour developed into comprehensive body armour. In addition to the long chainmail tunic, a chainmail coif – also known as a coif or camail – as well as chainmail leggings and chainmail gloves now formed part of a knight’s full equipment. The chainmail coif (coif) is thus the answer to the frequently asked question: What is the headpiece of a chainmail tunic called? It protected the head, neck and cheeks and was often attached directly to the tunic or worn as a separate piece.
Late Middle Ages: Combination with plate armour
With the further development of forging techniques, plate elements found their way into knightly armour. Chain mail now filled the gaps between the plate sections – at the armpits, elbows, backs of the knees and groin areas. This gave rise to the typical hybrid armour of the late Middle Ages, in which chain mail sections remained indispensable as flexible connecting elements. The definitive decline of chainmail as the primary form of protective armour came with the spread of firearms in the 15th and 16th centuries: even heavy chainmail no longer offered sufficient protection against projectiles, so that full plate armour and, later, new armour designs gained the upper hand.
A comparison of ring types and riveting methods
- Classic round cross-section
- More flexible, slightly greater freedom of movement
- Well suited to the Early and High Middle Ages
- Easy for beginners to work with
- Easier to open and close
- Flattened, wider cross-section
- Tighter weave, heavier weight
- Historically documented from the late Middle Ages
- Better protective effect for the same ring size
- More labour-intensive to repair
- Cheaper to manufacture
- Good for beginners and LARP
- Faster to repair
- Less historically authentic
- Historically accurate – in the original, all load-bearing rings were riveted
- Significantly greater durability and tear resistance
- Wedge rivets: flatter, denser, late medieval
- Round rivets: rounded ends, early to high medieval
- Recommended for serious re-enactment and display combat
The historical original always combined riveted and stamped rings in alternation – the so-called 4-in-1 weave, in which each ring connects four neighbours. The load-bearing rings (in the direction of stress) were riveted, whilst those in between were stamped. This combination is found in most chainmail pieces in this category and is the reason why authentic armour has survived despite its age.
Whether you’re repairing an existing chainmail shirt, adding individual armour pieces, or building a complete chainmail suit piece by piece – with the right chainmail pieces from this category, you’ve got the foundation you need. Take a look at the different ring and material options and choose the piece that matches the rest of your equipment.
Frequently asked questions
The chainmail pieces in this category are all 20 x 20 cm in size. This is the standard size, suitable for both repairs and for gradually building up entire sections of armour. For large-scale projects, several pieces can be joined together.
The headpiece of chainmail armour is known as a chainmail coif or camail. The coif is a close-fitting hood made of chainmail that protects the head, temples and neck. In the High Middle Ages, it was often attached directly to the chainmail tunic or worn as a separate piece underneath. You can find matching chainmail coifs in the category of the same name.
Yes, chainmail armour can be repaired well with the right materials and a bit of practice. As the weave consists of many identical rings, damaged areas can be repaired precisely. It is important that the replacement material – ring type, inner diameter and wire thickness – matches the existing weave exactly. Two flat-nose pliers are usually sufficient as tools.
A padded undergarment, known as a gambeson or armour tunic, was worn beneath the chainmail. This padded garment, made of multiple layers of linen or wool, cushioned blows, prevented the rings from digging into the skin and provided thermal insulation. Without a gambeson, wearing chainmail for any length of time would have been virtually impossible.
The decline of chainmail as the primary form of body armour began in the 14th century with the spread of heavy plate armour, which offered more effective protection against sword blows and lances. However, the decisive turning point came with the spread of firearms in the 15th and early 16th centuries: even thick chain mail could no longer offer sufficient protection against crossbow bolts and bullets. Since then, chain mail has mainly been seen in re-enactment, LARP and as a historical exhibit.