Blackened Chainmail Voiders, 7mm Wedge-Riveted & Solid Flat Rings

Blackened Chainmail Voiders, 7mm Wedge-Riveted & Solid Flat Rings

How Can You Use These Voiders?

These mail gussets represent an intelligent and historically accurate solution for the owner of plate armour.

• Historical Combat (HMB, SCA): An absolute necessity for a 14th or 15th-century knight's harness. They allow for comprehensive protection when paired with plate, while reducing overall weight and heat buildup.
• LARP: Ideal for heavily armoured characters who value historical detail and wish to optimize their kit for maximum efficiency and mobility.
• Custom Armour Projects: The perfect foundation for creating a bespoke arming doublet with integrated mail protection.

A Legacy of History

The Evolution of Armour: From Hauberk to Voiders

As plate armour developed in the 14th century, wearing a full chainmail hauberk underneath became excessively heavy and restrictive. Armourers devised an ingenious solution: voiders. Instead of a full shirt, panels of mail were sewn onto an arming doublet only where the plate armour left gaps—typically the armpits, inner elbows, and sides. This system provided the necessary protection for joints and gaps while dramatically reducing weight and improving ventilation, allowing a warrior to fight longer and more effectively.

Advantages of Material and Construction

Combat-Ready Construction and Low Maintenance

Every detail of this armour is geared towards maximum combat functionality.

• Wedge-Riveted & Solid Flat Rings: This is one of the strongest historical construction methods. Alternating solid-punched rings with rings secured by wedge rivets creates an extremely resilient mail fabric that will not pull apart.
• Dense 7mm Weave: The small diameter of the flat rings creates a very dense mesh, offering excellent protection against narrow points and thrusting attacks.
• Blackened Finish: The carbon steel rings are treated with a blackened (oil-quenched) finish. This not only provides a rugged, martial appearance but also offers superior rust resistance, significantly reducing maintenance requirements.
• Optimized Weight: You protect only what you need to. The result is better mobility, less fatigue, and higher performance in battle.

A Glimpse Into History

Did you know that wedge rivets were a popular late-medieval innovation? Unlike round rivets, a wedge-shaped rivet would bite into the pre-punched holes of the ring. When hammered shut, it created a very strong and flush connection that was less likely to snag or damage the garments worn underneath.

Care and Maintenance

Thanks to the blackened finish, maintenance is easier than with bright steel.

1. Always allow the voiders to dry thoroughly after use to prevent the underlying steel from rusting.
2. Periodically wipe the mail with a lightly oiled cloth to maintain the protective layer.
3. Avoid using abrasive cleaning methods (wire brushes, polishing compounds) that could strip the blackened finish.
4. When sewing onto your gambeson, use a strong linen or waxed thread for maximum durability.

Specifications

• Product: Chainmail Voiders (for sewing onto a gambeson)
• Material: Carbon Steel, Blackened Finish
• Ring Type: Flat, alternating Wedge-Riveted and Solid
• Rivet Type: Wedge Rivets
• Internal Ring Diameter: 7 mm
• Material Thickness: approx. 1.02 mm (18 gauge)
• Overall Length: approx. 62 cm (24.4 in)