The Armour Archive

While in the museum the other day I got a look at some authentic rivetted chainmail. I was surprised that most of the rivets looked like the ones used on "Indian maille" they were round headed, one tiny piece used wedge rivets and two pieces had round rivets welded the rest (apart from a large section of butted maille) were those round rivets. So which one is more authentic? Can some one post links to any sites showing pictures of maille. I would appreciate links to sites with either round style or wedge rivets. Thanks

Oh and by the way the large section of butted maille looked like it came for a shirt or legs. Who said butted maille wasn't period? lol Now I can say it is an not just for on field repairs!

Xander

Both the round head rivets and the V wedge rivets are authentic.

I think it mostly depends on what part of the world you are from.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Evil_Merlin:
<B>Both the round head rivets and the V wedge rivets are authentic.

I think it mostly depends on what part of the world you are from.</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

--and what period you are from

i have yet (and Steve may correct me) to run across any "Viking" age (or pre "Viking" age) evidence of the wedge rivet system

though admittedly it is so nice looking that i am waiting to buy one of Steve's alternating ring DIY kits for my new helm

Halvgrimr

Halvgrim,

Damn good point. My appologies for not taking that into consideration! Luckily my kit is late 14th century French/Italian so Steve's wedges fit my period quite well (not to be confused with wedgies)...

[This message has been edited by Evil_Merlin (edited 04-17-2003).]

Wedgies on brayettes-de-mailles... hardcore.

Round rivets are associated with Indian maille. Wedge rivets for western/european maille.

I've handled original pieces at the Higgins (with gloves of course!) and you can see the difference.

The style of rivet is indeed a geographical/temporal thing. And while the wedge rivet is often associated with Western European maille, it is not exclusively found there, nor are round rivets unknown there.

"Oh and by the way the large section of butted maille looked like it came for a shirt or legs. Who said butted maille wasn't period? lol Now I can say it is an not just for on field repairs!"

I would be interested in any citations for provenance of this butted maille, and what museum you were in.

Steve

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Forth Armoury
Highly authentic, affordable riveted maille.

The measure of a man is not in the steel of his skin but in the steel of his heart. - S. Sheldon

I was in the Ulster museum in Belfast, a large section of maille, in fact the largest piece there was made from butted maill, the links were very small how ever. most of the other maille there was rivetted and in small sections, it was quite impressive to see so much period maille all in one place.

Xander

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Friedrich:
Round rivets are associated with Indian maille. Wedge rivets for western/european maille.</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Perhaps it'd be best to remove the "/" and make that "western european"... similarly period mail I've handled from Hungary, and what I've seen there, shows both wedge and round, with, actually, a prevalence for round. Almost certainly to do with some trick of industrial technique.

Xander:

What was the origin of the butted maille on display? Was it an authentic piece or a reconstruction? Or was it a later piece and possibly parade armour?

Russ:

Yes, that should be "Western European".

Steve

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Forth Armoury
Highly authentic, affordable riveted maille.

The measure of a man is not in the steel of his skin but in the steel of his heart. - S. Sheldon