Blackened Steel Chainmail Arm & Underarm Protectors (Flat Solid/Hollow-Riveted Rings Ø9mm, 17G) - Outlet

Blackened Steel Chainmail Arm & Underarm Protectors (Flat Solid/Hollow-Riveted Rings Ø9mm, 17G)

These chainmail arm protectors are designed for the discerning warrior seeking an optimal balance between comprehensive protection and unrestricted mobility. Ideally, these protectors are attached (e.g., by sewing or tying with leather thongs) to your gambeson, padded jack, or aketon, positioning them to cover the underarm area and the lower and/or inner parts of the arms. You then don your plate armour components over them. This way, you effectively protect the vulnerable gaps in your plate armour without the weight and bulk of a full chainmail hauberk. They are excellently suited for knights, men-at-arms, and any character in plate armour for LARP or historical reenactment.

Historical Use and Significance

As plate armour evolved and offered increasingly better protection for large areas of the body in the 14th and 15th centuries, certain areas like joints and armpits remained vulnerable or difficult to protect with rigid plates without restricting movement. It was precisely here that chainmail retained its place. Instead of wearing a complete, often very heavy chainmail shirt under the plates, warriors increasingly began to use targeted chainmail components – like these arm and underarm protectors – to "fill" the gaps. This allowed for a reduction in the overall weight of the armour while maintaining protection at key points.

Advantages of the Material and Specific Ring Construction

The arm protectors are crafted from mild steel with a 17-gauge wire thickness (approx. 1.14 mm) and feature an elegant blackened finish for an authentic look and basic corrosion protection. Their uniqueness lies in the construction from flat rings with an inner diameter of 9 mm. Rows of solid, punched flat rings alternate with rows of flat rings that are interconnected with hollow rivets. Hollow rivets are a historically documented technique that reduces the overall weight of the riveting while maintaining very good joint strength. The combination of solid and riveted flat rings creates a dense, durable, yet relatively lightweight weave, ideal for targeted protection.

A Piece of History: The Individualisation of Armour

Medieval armour was not always a uniform 'off-the-shelf set'. Warriors often assembled and modified their protection according to their financial means, fighting style, and experience. The use of smaller, targeted chainmail components, like these arm protectors, was an expression of a pragmatic approach – to maximize protection where it was most needed while minimizing unnecessary encumbrance. Each piece of armour could thus be unique.

How to Care for These Arm Protectors

Blackened steel requires some care to maintain its appearance and corrosion resistance:

• Before First Use: Wipe the protectors with a dry cloth to remove any preservative oil.
• Wearing: They will be attached to a gambeson, so 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: The blackening may develop a patina over time. You can lightly oil exposed areas with preservative oil (e.g. Ballistol, WD-40).
• Storage: Store with the garment they are attached to in a dry and ventilated place to prevent rust and mildew on the textile.

Size and Dimensions (per pair)

These chainmail arm and underarm protectors are supplied as a pair in a universal size, designed to fit most adult men and to be flexibly integrated into your existing armour setup. The approximate dimensions of one protector (the pair is symmetrical) are:

• Sleeve part length (from the top edge along the arm): approx. 61 cm (24 inches)
• Height of the main section covering the underarm and side of the torso: approx. 35 cm (13.8 inches)

These dimensions will help you estimate the coverage provided by the protectors.

Additional Information

This is a high-quality, handcrafted product from the Lord Of Battles® brand. The price shown is for one pair (2 pieces) of these arm protectors. Enhance your plate armour with this clever and effective protection!