Chain mail

[Mercer]

I found this fragment of chain mail a few years ago on the foreshore of the river Thames near London Bridge. Not to compare with Raf's magnificent find of the first post!
On finding I took it to Victoria & Albert Museum London as at that time they had a Wednesday morning room where 'finds' could be taken for an opinion.
They said it was of the medieval period and being so fine most likely for the neck or wrist openings.
However, since I have realised it is non-magnetic ie not of ferrous material, iron or steel. Therefore, possibly of limited protection more for comfort and ease of gilding? and show?
It would to appear to be constructed of alternate rows of stamped and riveted iron or steel rings (about 5mm or 1/4 inch internal diameters). Craftsman made indeed!

The One Penny coin is about 20mm or 3/4 inch diameter.
PS I call it Mail, as at the V & A Museum I was corrected when I called it 'Chain Mail', they said it was not made from chains! I know that Claud Blair one time of the Tower of London Armouries always referred to it as 'Mail'. The popular name is chain mail

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by Mercer

I found this fragment of chain mail a few years ago on the foreshore of the river Thames near London Bridge. Not to compare with Raf's magnificent find of the first post!
On finding I took it to Victoria & Albert Museum London as at that time they had a Wednesday morning room where 'finds' could be taken for an opinion.
They said it was of the medieval period and being so fine most likely for the neck or wrist openings.
However, since I have realised it is non-magnetic ie not of ferrous material, iron or steel. Therefore, possibly of limited protection more for comfort and ease of gilding? and show?
It would to appear to be constructed of alternate rows of stamped and riveted iron or steel rings (about 5mm or 1/4 inch internal diameters). Craftsman made indeed!

The One Penny coin is about 20mm or 3/4 inch diameter.
PS I call it Mail, as at the V & A Museum I was corrected when I called it 'Chain Mail', they said it was not made from chains! I know that Claud Blair one time of the Tower of London Armouries always referred to it as 'Mail'. The popular name is chain mail

You should have pointed out to them the rings are chained, hence that name.

[Mercer]

Originally Posted by Victrix

You should have pointed out to them the rings are chained, hence that name.

Victrix: With the learned staff of the Curator's Office of the V & A Museum, London I would always hesitate to challenge their opinion.

[Raf]

Alternating links of solid stamped rings and riveted links seems to be a feature of earlier medieval mail. On the subject of non ferrous mail apparently the Royal Armouries, having nothing else to do experimented with pouring water on reproduction mail in order to show that water collected on the lower edges . Theory being that brass borders protected edges of mail from corrosion.

[Mercer]

Originally Posted by Raf

Alternating links of solid stamped rings and riveted links seems to be a feature of earlier medieval mail. On the subject of non ferrous mail apparently the Royal Armouries, having nothing else to do experimented with pouring water on reproduction mail in order to show that water collected on the lower edges . Theory being that brass borders protected edges of mail from corrosion.

That is a very interesting bit of information Raf! And good that the Royal Armouries had a bit of slack time!

[Raf]

Originally Posted by Mercer

That is a very interesting bit of information Raf! And good that the Royal Armouries had a bit of slack time!

In my experience they don't like being disturbed.

[Battara]

Also this seems to me to be the common 4-in-1 pattern of chainmaille.