Old Chain Mail, European Medival or Late Ottoman??

Oriental-Arms · 27th September 2009, 07:41 PM

I am researching a mail armor which was supposedly discovered in an old fortress in the Holy land. This fortress was extensively occupied in the last 1000 years by the Crusades, the Arabs, the Mameluks and later by the Ottomans and British forces until mid 20 C. I am trying to find out if it is a Medival European armor 13-14 C. or a later Ottoman armor.

Photos of the armor attached:

The shirt is short sleeves, large size and will fit a big man. The collar is cushioned with leather strips:

On close examination of the rings arrangements and as can be seen in the photo below it is composed of forge welded links and riveted links in an alternating rows order.

This technique of constructing mails is of European origin and was supposedly discontinued in the 14 C. The forge welding and the riveting are very well performed with great care, much better than I use to see on riveted oriental mail armor from later periods. Yet, the cushioned collar is also found on later Ottoman mail armors.

The condition of the mail is better than superb. I can hardly believe it is an early medial mail. It looks as if it was made in the last 100 years (but who would bother to build a very good mail with half riveted half welded links in the 20C. ??).

So what age it is??

I was not sure in which forum should I post this thread, so I am also adding a note on the Ethnographic forum and they are welcome to join.

27th September 2009, 07:41 PM	#1
Oriental-Arms Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Haifa, Israel Posts: 183	Old Chain Mail, European Medival or Late Ottoman?? I am researching a mail armor which was supposedly discovered in an old fortress in the Holy land. This fortress was extensively occupied in the last 1000 years by the Crusades, the Arabs, the Mameluks and later by the Ottomans and British forces until mid 20 C. I am trying to find out if it is a Medival European armor 13-14 C. or a later Ottoman armor. Photos of the armor attached: The shirt is short sleeves, large size and will fit a big man. The collar is cushioned with leather strips: On close examination of the rings arrangements and as can be seen in the photo below it is composed of forge welded links and riveted links in an alternating rows order. This technique of constructing mails is of European origin and was supposedly discontinued in the 14 C. The forge welding and the riveting are very well performed with great care, much better than I use to see on riveted oriental mail armor from later periods. Yet, the cushioned collar is also found on later Ottoman mail armors. The condition of the mail is better than superb. I can hardly believe it is an early medial mail. It looks as if it was made in the last 100 years (but who would bother to build a very good mail with half riveted half welded links in the 20C. ??). So what age it is?? I was not sure in which forum should I post this thread, so I am also adding a note on the Ethnographic forum and they are welcome to join.