Blackened Steel Chainmail Voiders (Riveted Round/Solid Flat Rings Ø9mm, 18G)

Blackened Steel Chainmail Voiders (Riveted Round/Solid Flat Rings Ø9mm, 18G)

These chainmail voiders are a clever and historically sound solution for any warrior wearing plate armour. Their main purpose is to fill and protect those gaps and vulnerable spots that plate armour often inherently leaves exposed – especially the armpit area and the sides of the torso. You simply sew them onto your gambeson or quilted jack (aketon) in these critical areas. By doing so, you significantly increase your overall protection without needing to wear a heavy and cumbersome full chainmail shirt underneath your plates. They are ideal for knights and heavily armoured combatants at LARP events, historical battles, or tournaments, where every detail of protection can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

Historical Use and Significance of Voiders

With the massive development and refinement of plate armour, particularly in the 14th and 15th centuries, the need naturally arose to also protect those body areas that individual plates could not effectively and flexibly cover without restricting the wearer's mobility. Typically, these were the armpits, the insides of the elbows and knees, the groin, and the sides of the torso. It was precisely for these purposes that so-called 'voiders' (sometimes also known as mail gussets) began to be used. These were purposefully shaped pieces of chainmail, sewn directly onto the padded undergarment (gambeson or aketon) worn beneath the plates. They allowed full joint mobility while providing reliable chainmail protection where a rigid plate would have been cumbersome or impractical.

Advantages of the Material and Specific Ring Construction

The voiders are crafted from unhardened mild steel with a wire thickness of 1 mm (equivalent to 18 gauge) and feature an elegant blackened finish. This blackening not only gives the armour a formidable appearance but also provides basic protection against corrosion. The unique and proven construction of the chainmail, where rows of round rings (each one carefully and securely fastened with a durable dome-head rivet) alternate with rows of solid flat rings, is exceptionally resilient and effective. The riveted connections ensure that the rings do not open even under heavy strain or impact, while the flat rings increase the density of the mail. The 9 mm inner diameter of the rings and the 4-in-1 weave pattern form a reliable protective layer for sensitive areas.

A Piece of History: Custom-Tailored Armour

In the Middle Ages, particularly during the High Gothic period, high-quality armour was often custom-made for a specific warrior. It was not mass-produced as it is today. Chainmail voiders were a typical example of this armour individualization. Their shape and size were carefully planned and adapted to the specific gaps in an individual's plate armour, their physique, and the type of their padded undergarment. They were, so to speak, flexible chainmail 'patches' or 'gussets' that could make the crucial difference between comprehensive protection and a dangerous injury in combat.

How to Care for Your Blackened Voiders

While the blackened finish offers some protection, it's still important to care for the steel voiders (and consequently the gambeson they are sewn to) properly to maintain their appearance and function:

• Before Sewing/First Use: Lightly wipe the surface of the voiders with a dry cloth to remove any preservative oil.
• After Use: If the voiders (and the gambeson they are attached to) become damp, ensure they are thoroughly dried. The mail sections themselves can be wiped down.
• Maintenance: The blackening may develop a patina over time. For long-term rust prevention, especially on rubbed areas or the inner side, you can apply a very thin layer of preservative oil (e.g. Ballistol, WD-40).
• Storage of Gambeson with Sewn-on Voiders: Store in a dry, ventilated place, ideally hung on a hanger, to prevent rust and deformation.

Shape, Dimensions, and Weight (per pair)

These voiders are supplied as a pair (one for the left and one for the right side/armpit) and are designed in a universal size intended to fit most figures and common types of gambesons (manufacturer states "single size fits most"). Their specific shape, resembling 'angled troughs' or the letter 'L', is optimized for the best possible coverage of protected areas while maintaining maximum flexibility. The approximate dimensions of one voider (the pair is symmetrical) are as follows:

• Overall height (measured vertically at the longest point of the shoulder/torso section): approx. 29 cm (11.4 inches)
• Overall width of the upper part (which is sewn to the shoulder and torso section of the gambeson): approx. 60 cm (23.6 inches)
• Length of the sleeve section (measured from the armpit bend along the sleeve): approx. 14 cm (5.5 inches)
• Length of the torso section (measured vertically downwards from the armpit bend along the side): approx. 40 cm (15.7 inches)
• Total weight of the pair: approx. 2660 g (5.86 lbs)

Additional Information

Enhance your level of protection with these functional and stylish blackened chainmail voiders from the Lord Of Battles® brand. They are an essential addition for any serious reenactor or LARP fighter wearing plate armour.