The Armour Archive

Are any of you familiar with the design of the top half of the karate/judo gi? Basically, it folds over itself and ties off on the bottom of either side.

Has anyone tried anything like this with maile, ir thought of trying it? It seems to me that this would provide a double layer over the front of the torso, while leaving a single layer everywhere else.

I know that some arabic cultures had cot-like garments made with maille "quilted" inside of a cloth garment. I dunno how much overlap they may have had, or if we even have an existant piece. Norm might know more...

-+G

Even doubled over, the mail will not give you as much impact protection as plate, and at the cost of much extra weight. Unless you incorporate a number of ties, you will need to readjust it quite often. There are examples of mail that lace up to the neck allowing a more form fitting shirt.

There is one illustration from c. 1295 of a Byzantine saint (Merkourios) with a strange mail "jacket" that fastens up at the front and is covered with fabric. See the flipped-back lapel at http://www.geocities.com/egfroth1/Merkourios2.jpg

This has been proposed as "jazerant" by Nicolle. However, what level of protection at the front this would give is debatable. Ther gaps at the front are quite large where the fastenings are.

Usual problems with question-marks for geocities pictures URL's.

------------------
Egfroth

Major Bloodnok, Queen's Forty-Third Deserters (retd.) "Do you know what it's like to be in the thick of a bloody battle, with bullets flying and sabres clashing?"
Ned Seagoon: "No."
Bloodnok: "Pity; I was hoping you could tell me . . ."
see my webpage at www.geocities.com/egfrothos

[This message has been edited by Egfroth (edited 04-02-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Egfroth (edited 04-02-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Egfroth (edited 04-02-2002).]