Chainmail Mittens, 6mm Mild Steel Butted Rings, Brown Suede Leather

Chainmail Mittens, 6mm Mild Steel Butted Rings, Brown Suede Leather

Who Are These Gauntlets For?

Whether you're heading into a reenactment battle, training with a feder, or immersing yourself in a fantasy world, these mittens provide reliable protection and a period-perfect look. They are ideal for:

• Reenactment: Perfectly suited for the Early and High Middle Ages (approx. 11th-13th centuries), when fingerless mail mittens were standard issue for knights and men-at-arms alike.
• HEMA: They offer excellent protection for the back of the hand against cuts and lighter blows during technical training or light sparring.
• LARP: Your costume as a knight, mercenary, or battle-hardened adventurer will look utterly convincing with these.

A History Forged in Steel

Long before the advent of complex plate gauntlets, it was chainmail that guarded a warrior's hands. These mittens, often called 'mufflers', were frequently an integral part of the sleeves of a mail shirt (hauberk). Their primary purpose was clear: to prevent the devastating cutting injuries from swords and axes that would otherwise quickly disable a fighter. Their simplicity and effectiveness made them an indispensable piece of armour for centuries.

Advantages of This Construction

• Butted Rings: This method of closing the rings is visually authentic and provides a cost-effective solution for reenactment and LARP, where full-contact strikes to the hands are not the norm.
• Dense 6mm Weave: The small internal diameter of the rings creates a dense, resilient mesh that effectively disperses the energy of a slash and resists penetration.
• Durable Suede Leather: The glove, made from soft yet strong suede, ensures a comfortable fit and a secure grip on your weapon. The leather lace at the wrist allows you to achieve a snug fit.
• Internal Padding: A lining is sewn in under the mail on the back of the hand, increasing comfort and absorbing some of the impact from a blow.

A Piece of History

Did you know that making a mail shirt was an incredibly time-consuming process? A skilled armourer could spend several hundred hours crafting a single, high-quality hauberk. Mail was therefore an extremely valuable possession, often passed down through generations and worth the price of a small farm.

How To Care For Your Mail

These mittens are made from untreated carbon steel, just like the historical originals. This gives them an authentic look but means they require care to prevent rust.
The Dos:
✔️ After every use, especially in damp weather, wipe the rings dry.
✔️ Regularly treat them with a thin coat of oil (e.g., Ballistol, WD-40, or a simple mineral oil). This will prevent rust.
✔️ Store them in a dry place.

The Don'ts:
❌ Never store them while wet or in a damp scabbard or bag.
❌ Do not use aggressive cleaners or wire wool, which could damage the rings.
❌ Remember, butted rings are not designed to withstand the heavy, percussive blows of full-contact combat—they could be forced open.

Specifications

This is a quality product from ULFBERTH®, your specialist for historical arms and armour.