Gauging Interest: Welded Flat Ring Mail

[Atlanta Armory]

Due to academic and 'sports' (Formula SAE) related obligations and a temporary change in residence I haven't been able to take orders for over half a year. However, with the racing season and this semester winding down I can start taking orders again.

I am looking into using alternating rows of punched and square wire rings in 3/8" ID from stainless steel. The punched rings will be 0.032" thick and 0.062" from inside to outside edge. The square rings will be from 0.062" square wire. If a couple of people are interested I'll make a few prototype aventails in stainless.

I also have between 10 and 15 pounds of titanium left over in the 5/16" x 0.045" ring size.

Stainless Flat (3/8" ID)
Long - $175 (Tentative)
Short - $125 (Tentative)

Titanium (5/16" ID x 0.045")
Long Aventail - $375, 1.5 lb.
Short Aventail - $235, 0.6 lb.

Once I have made a few items in the new ring size I can lock in the aventail prices and can give quotes for shirts as well. I will not be taking deposits on orders. Anyone interested?

Cheers,
-Ben

[Roger_de_Gilbert]

How do you feel about making some chain that would cover the lower leg and top of foot?

[Gethin]

Hi Ben,
While I am not interested in an aventail, I am interested in a hauberk in the blackened, welded ring. Will you be making any during your "down" time?

[Atlanta Armory]

How do you feel about making some chain that would cover the lower leg and top of foot?

I'd be fine with that. Do you want to cover around the calf as well or just the front and do you want titanium or the new ring size?

Gethin, I'd be happy to take a shirt order in the new ring size. I can't give you more than an guestimate on cost and weight (10 - 20 pounds?) until I have a piece or two made for the new ring size. If you want something lighter I could be persuaded to do one last titanium hauberk...

[Rhyance]

Hi Ben,
While I am not interested in an aventail, I am interested in a hauberk in the blackened, welded ring. Will you be making any during your "down" time?

I too, would be interested in welded 9mm stainless - blackened or not.

[Atlanta Armory]

In that case I'll go ahead and order enough for a small batch once next week. On another note, I have one short titanium aventail in stock. It'll be ready to ship Monday once it's been deburred / blackened if anyone wants it. (The sooner it sells the sooner I can order the new rings).

-Ben

[Corby de la Flamme]

5 months ago I would have jumped on that titanium hauberk offer.

Out of curiosity, what would a longish, short sleeved habergeon with a 50" chest in titanium run?

[Samuel]

I sent you a message on your old thread about a sleeve in stainless. im still interested

[Atlanta Armory]

A haubergeon that falls more than 40" below the arms with 10" long, 18" around sleeves would be in the $2500 range and weigh around 12 to 13 pounds.

-Ben

[Corby de la Flamme]

Thanks for the info Ben!

[Atlanta Armory]

No problem. Samuel, can you shoot me a PM about the sleeves?

-Ben

[Adamo]

I would be interested in a "test" run aventail made from flat stainless stock. Got any pics of the rings?

Adam

[Hacky2447]

defiantly interested in an aventail and a hauberk

[Rhyance]

Hope Ben is putting together a Contact list.

[Atlanta Armory]

I would be interested in a "test" run aventail made from flat stainless stock. Got any pics of the rings?

Not yet. When I say test run I mean that I have only an idea of how they'll turn out. I'll post pics when I make a small patch.

-Ben

[Rhyance]

Hey Ben - PM sent.

[Atlanta Armory]

For those interested in getting a 'berk or any other form of shirt please send me the measurements below (preferably by email). I'm ordering the rings tonight for a short run and I'll respond with a quote and estimated weight so you can decide whether you still want to go through with the order. If anyone wants the first aventail (short or long) please let me know via PM. I will not require payment until shipment.

Chest - Circumference around breast height.
Waist - (if larger than Chest)
Front - Distance from armpit to armpit across front.
Back - Distance from armpit to armpit across back.
Armpit - width of armpit (Chest should equal about twice armpit + front + back).
Fall length - length from armpits to desired bottom hem.
Bicep - circumference of bicep at full flex.
Sleeve - Length from armpit to desired sleeve hem.
Head - Smallest hole your head will fall through OR neck circumference if you want a lace-up front

Please make sure to take all measurements with all garb on that you will have underneath. When in doubt, add an inch. I'll post the measurements on my new site when I get it up and running.

Also, I have a long titanium aventail in the 5/16" x 0.045" ring size that's looking for a new home...

-Ben

[Atlanta Armory]

Just curious, but how much interest is there in welded mail with alternating square (or round) and flat rings in 1/4" ID? It would weigh about 1.5 pounds per square foot (vs about 1.2 lb. for 3/8") and cost close to titanium in 5/16".

-Ben

[Rhyance]

Well, I've been looking for 9mm, which is .354, so that would be a little smaller. But since the alternating rings should mean that only half the rings are welded, with a corresponding savings on labor, it might be worth a look. I'd like to see a sample.

[stallari]

I'm in for a long welded stainless aventail!

[Atlanta Armory]

As it stands Adam has first dibs on the first aventail. I also will have 3 new ring sets, possibly four to experiment with:

Stainless 3/8" ID - 0.062" square / punched 0.062" x 0.032"
Stainless 1/4" ID - 0.047" square / punched 0.062" x 0.032"
Stainless 1/4" ID - 0.040" round / punched 0.062" x 0.032"

The fourth ring size will likely be 3/8" ID but I haven't heard back yet on availability of the wire.

-Ben

[Atlanta Armory]

I have managed to track down some relatively inexpensive flat wire for the 3/8" ring size. It is 0.063" x 0.062" and will match the punched rings in shape. I will be getting about 100 pounds of stainless for this ring size in mid-June. If you want to be first on the list please email or PM me with your measurements.

Cheers,
-Ben

[Atlanta Armory]

Got the rings in yesterday. I have a few patches together of the different rings.

On the left are 5/16" ID rings for reference. To the right and above are the 3/8" alternating square and punched rings. Bottom center is round / flat and bottom right is square / flat.


The 3/8" punched rings turned out to be dished. I have all of the punched rings so that they are concave down int he picture. The 1/4" punched rings do have a slight dish but it is hardly noticeable.

1/4" round / punched:


1/4" square / punched:


So here are the prices and weights for long aventails in the different ring sizes:

3/8" - $175, 4.5 lb

1/4" round - $350, 3.5 lb

1/4" sq - $375, 4.9 lb

The punched rings are made from 430 stainless, which will rust if left exposed to moisture. I am told that this rust can be wiped off with a cloth. The welded rings are from either 304 or 302 stainless.

I can start taking orders for aventails or shirts in these new sizes. The 1/4" ring sizes are comparable in price to titanium in 5/16" rings. Right now I am completing a titanium shirt and working on a long aventail in the 3/8" for Adam (he has first dibs on it). I will order more of the 3/8" ID rings later this week but if anyone is interested I can get more of the 1/4" rings as well. There seems to be only enough for an aventail but I'll see if I can scrounge up some more.

Cheers,
-Ben