Currently, I am working on a maille project for the demo I do. It is a zirak baktar style plate and chain with a mantle top construction. Mostly because I hate myself as I am learning. You figure out real quick why most maille suits were done in a barrel pattern. Though the weight distribution factor over the shoulders and back is nice. As far as I know the combination of methods I am working with do not actually have any historical precedence. At least none that I have found. But the combination of components is working out nicely overall with fit and mobility and looks really nice too.
https://scontent.fsnc1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=586E8A1C
as it turns out I am terrible at documenting my work progress on pieces. So minus most of the work done lol. That is how the project started. I will grab more pictures this weekend as the piece is locked in a chest at the KC Renfest currently. The leather ring adds a lot of support structure and since the piece is butted, mostly to save time on experimentation, the saddle hide is tougher than the rings connected to it, so stretch is not an issue. Version 2.0 will be rivetted. Though it will probably take a decade to complete on hobby time. Equipment is availible, I just have to summon the will. At this time I am working on the back panel, it has fitted sleeves and the front is complete, minus taking it apart, dishing the plates lightly so they flow better and some grinding of edges where I have a little bit too much material for the rings to flow nicely...and clean up, the outside and thousands of hands are not nice of the metal surface
Which will involve ovalling out the holes and replacing the jump rings with split rings and taking off 1/16th inch of steel on some of the plates. Oh, and deciding how I want to close the front. Plates still need to be cut and attached to the mantle portion. I need to finish the mail construction parts of the top too.Well, more pics after the coming weekend. Since I have failed at documenting the process.