Spring Steel Chainmail Skirt: Butted Round Rings Ø9mm (1.29mm), with Padded Belt - Outlet

Spring Steel Chainmail Skirt: Butted Round Rings Ø9mm (1.29mm), with Padded Belt

How Can You Use This Chainmail Skirt?

This chainmail skirt is a versatile addition to your kit, suitable for:

• Historical Reenactment: Ideal for completing your armour, whether you're portraying a foot soldier, archer, or light infantry. It will provide crucial protection for your thighs and groin, areas that were historically vulnerable.
• LARP (Live Action Role Play): Elevate your character not just visually but also functionally. Spring steel endures a lot, and the butted rings help reduce overall weight.
• Theatre and Film Costumes: Adds authenticity to your costume without overly encumbering the actor.
• Historical Fencing Training: Offers additional protection during practice of techniques where the thighs are exposed.

Thanks to its integrated padded belt, you can easily tie the skirt around your waist and adjust its size. It can be worn over a gambeson or as a complement to other pieces of armour.

Historical Insight: Chainmail Skirts in History

Chainmail skirts, sometimes referred to as "tassets of mail" or extensions of hauberks, were a common part of armour for many centuries, from antiquity to the high Middle Ages. Their primary role was to protect the thighs, hips, and groin – areas often vulnerable in combat. They were used in combination with shorter types of torso armour such as haubergeons (short chainmail shirts), brigandines, or early forms of plate cuirasses. For many troop types, especially infantry or archers, the chainmail skirt often provided the primary or sole leg protection above the knees, as it allowed for better mobility than full chainmail chausses (leggings).

Advantages of Material and Construction

Butted Rings of Hardened Spring Steel

Using hardened spring steel for butted rings is a smart choice. Spring steel has significantly higher tensile strength and elasticity than common mild steel. This means that even though the rings are not riveted, they hold their shape better, are less likely to open on impact, and the overall armour is more resilient. This type of construction offers an excellent balance between the level of protection, lower weight (compared to riveted mail from heavier wire), and a more favourable price. For most reenactment activities and LARP, this protection is more than sufficient.

Integrated Padded Belt

A major advantage of this particular skirt is its direct lacing to a comfortable padded belt. This not only increases wearing comfort by distributing the skirt's weight but also allows for easy and quick size adjustment around the waist. You won't have to deal with complicated suspension systems or additional straps. This unique design ensures you can adjust the fit to your liking throughout the day.

An Armourer's Note

Did you know that chainmail made from spring steel is a relatively modern innovation in the field of historical replicas? While various types of steel with different properties were used in the Middle Ages, specific "spring steels" as we know them today were not commonly available or used for ring production. However, modern re-enactors and manufacturers have discovered the advantages of modern spring steel, especially for butted constructions, as it significantly enhances their functionality and durability, bringing them closer to the resilience of historical riveted versions while maintaining lower weight and cost.

Technical Specifications

• Ring Material: Hardened Spring Steel
• Ring Type: Round rings, butted
• Ring Inner Diameter: 9 mm
• Wire: Round wire, 1.29 mm thick (16 gauge)
• Finish: Natural, lightly oiled for corrosion protection
• Belt: Integrated, padded, with lacing for tying
• Manufacturer: Lord Of Battles®

Size Chart

Please choose your size carefully. "Length" refers to the vertical length of the skirt from the top edge of the chainmail (excluding the belt) to the bottom edge. "Width" refers to the width of the chainmail panel itself when laid flat (the total circumference will therefore be approximately double this width, but it is adjustable at the waist thanks to the belt).

Caring for Your Chainmail Skirt

To ensure your spring steel chainmail skirt serves you well for a long time and remains in good condition:

1. Keep it dry: After each use, especially if it has become damp (rain, sweat), dry it thoroughly. Do not leave it wet or in a humid environment.
2. Oil regularly: Lightly spray or wipe it with a cloth soaked in a preservation oil (e.g., WD-40, Ballistol). This is particularly important before long-term storage. Spring steel is resilient, but it is still steel and susceptible to rust.
3. Store correctly: Store the skirt in a dry, ventilated place. You can hang it freely or roll it up and store it in an oiled cloth.
4. Rust removal: If surface rust appears, remove it as soon as possible using a fine wire brush, very fine steel wool (grade 000), and oil.
5. Minimising clothing stains: New or freshly oiled armour can sometimes stain clothing. You can wipe it with a dry cloth before wearing it over light-coloured garments. Wearing it over underlayers (e.g., linen trousers, gambeson) will also help.

A quality product from Lord Of Battles®.