Steel Chainmail Arm Protectors (Voiders) - Flat Solid/Riveted Rings Ø9mm, 17G, Natural Finish - Outlet

Steel Chainmail Arm Protectors (Voiders) - Flat Solid/Riveted Rings Ø9mm, 17G, Natural Finish

These chainmail arm protectors, often called voiders or mail gussets, are designed for the warrior who values detail and efficiency in their armour. They are ideally attached (e.g., by sewing or tying with leather thongs) to your gambeson, padded jack, or aketon, positioning them to cover the armpits and the inner or underside of the arms, precisely where your plate armour might have gaps. After attaching them to your undergarment, you don your plate components over them. The result is significantly increased protection while maintaining maximum possible mobility, which you will appreciate in any battle, be it LARP or historical reenactment.

Historical Use and Significance

As plate armour became more sophisticated in the 14th and 15th centuries, offering excellent protection for large body surfaces, knights and men-at-arms sought ways to also protect joints and other mobile areas without sacrificing agility. Instead of wearing a heavy chainmail shirt under plate armour, the use of smaller, specially shaped chainmail components became established. These "gussets" or "voiders" were sewn onto the padded undergarment and effectively covered gaps that would otherwise have remained dangerously exposed.

Advantages of the Material and Specific Ring Construction

The arm protectors are carefully handcrafted from high-quality mild steel with a 17-gauge wire thickness (approx. 1.14 mm). The natural, lightly oiled finish gives them an authentic appearance. The core of their resilience lies in the construction from flat rings with an inner diameter of 9 mm. In the weave, rows of solid, punched flat rings alternate with rows of flat rings that are interconnected with sturdy dome-head rivets. This combination ensures high resistance to piercing and tearing, while the flat rings lie better against the body and can distribute impact energy more effectively.

A Piece of History: The Evolution of Protection

The development of armour was a constant race between the pursuit of maximum protection and the need to maintain the wearer's mobility. Chainmail "supplements" to plate armour, like these voiders, attest to the ingenuity of medieval armourers and master smiths. They sought to provide the best possible protection with the least possible restriction of movement and weight. Every gram of weight saved meant longer endurance and a greater chance of survival for the combatant.

How to Care for These Arm Protectors

Natural steel requires regular care to prevent corrosion:

• Before First Use: Wipe the protectors with a cloth to remove excess preservative oil.
• Wearing: As they are attached to a gambeson, direct skin contact is minimal, but ensure underlayers are clean.
• After Use: If they become damp, dry them thoroughly along with the garment they are attached to.
• Maintenance: Regularly treat them with a thin layer of preservative oil (e.g., WD-40, Ballistol).
• Storage: Store with the garment they are attached to in a dry and ventilated place.

Size and Dimensions (per pair)

These chainmail arm protectors are supplied as a pair in a universal size, designed to fit most adult men. They are intended for sewing or attaching to your gambeson or padded jack. The approximate dimensions of one protector (the pair is symmetrical) are:

• Length of the sleeve section (measured from the armpit bend along the arm): approx. 61 cm (24 inches)
• Height of the mail in the main body section (measured on the chest/torso side): approx. 35 cm (13.8 inches)

These dimensions allow you to plan their placement on your undergarment for maximum coverage.

Additional Information

This is a high-quality, handcrafted product from the Lord Of Battles® brand. The price shown is for one pair (2 pieces). Optimize the effectiveness of your plate armour with these indispensable additions!