High-Tensile Steel Butted Chainmail Rings, 9 mm / 1.6 mm, 1 kg

Do you need to repair your chainmail shirt or want to craft your own piece of armour? This pack contains 1 kg (approximately 1750 pieces) of loose rings, perfect for all your maille-making projects. They are made from high-tensile steel, which makes them stronger and more durable than rings made from standard mild steel. These are butted rings with an inner diameter of 9 mm and a wire thickness of 1.6 mm (16 gauge). These specifications make them a great choice for creating robust armour for LARP, re-enactment, or just for the joy of crafting. Get to work and create the armour you've always envisioned! Further product information ...

Available immediately 4 kg
Item physically stored in our Warehouse in Kadan
, dispatch on: 8-Dec-2025
19,00 €
15,70 € excl. VAT
Buy for 82,61 € more and get free shipping.
0,00 € / 82,61 €

High-Tensile Steel Butted Chainmail Rings, 9 mm / 1.6 mm, 1 kg

Repair or Craft Your Own Chainmail

These butted rings are the fundamental building block for anyone working with chainmail. Whether you're an experienced maille-maker or just starting out, this 1 kg pack provides you with enough material to repair damaged sections of your armour – such as extending sleeves, lengthening a shirt, or patching holes after a battle. You can also embark on making entirely new pieces, like coifs, gauntlets, or helmet aventails.

Working with these rings is straightforward. Since they are butted, you don't need to rivet them. All you need to join them is two pairs of pliers (one to hold, one to open/close). You open the ring with a slight twist, loop it through, and then carefully close it again, ensuring the wire ends meet as precisely as possible. Because they are made from high-tensile steel, the resulting maille is stronger, but remember that working the rings also requires a bit more force.

Chainmail in History

Chainmail, formed from thousands of interlinked metal rings, was the dominant form of body protection for over a millennium. Its origins trace back to the Celts around the 4th century BC. Its greatest advantage was its flexibility and relatively good protection against slashing weapons. Historically, butted rings were less common for primary combat armour than riveted rings, which offered much greater strength. Today, butted rings are extremely popular in the LARP and re-enactment communities, offering an affordable and easy-to-work-with compromise between appearance and functionality.

Technical Specifications

Pack Weight: 1 kg (approx. 1750 rings)
Material: High-Tensile Steel (Natural finish)
Ring Type: Butted
Inner Diameter: 9 mm
Wire Thickness (Gauge): 1.6 mm (16 gauge)

Care and Maintenance Instructions

These rings are made from steel that is not stainless and are therefore prone to corrosion (rust). While rust doesn't affect functionality (in fact, use tends to "polish" the steel), it can stain your undergarments (gambeson). For a long life and a good appearance, follow these guidelines:

  • After each use (especially in damp weather or rain), dry the armour thoroughly.
  • Store the finished maille in a dry place.
  • For long-term storage, we recommend lightly oiling the maille (e.g., with WD-40 or another conservation oil). Wipe off any excess oil with a cloth before next use.
  • What not to do: Never store damp chainmail in a sealed bag or chest. Do not leave it lying on damp grass or ground unnecessarily.

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