Fastening chain mail

[Sir Gunn]

My girlfriend is making me a chain mail vambrace as a sort of Christmas present, however, since it's not attached to a sleeve it has to have a way of being close fitting so as not to slide off over my hand. Are there any ways to attach a open/close mechanism for the vambrace that doesn't compromise the integrity of the rings, and doesn't leave it loose in any parts? Also, if it could be easily undone and removed, that would be nice too. She describes the pattern as 4-3-4-3 in the same way that this one is constructed 3-2-3-2

http://www.artmetal.com/files/images/DS ... review.jpg

Thank you for any tips!

[Keegan Ingrassia]

Neoprene rings from The Ring Lord. Incorporate them into the weave, and they stretch to fit over the hand. Also give you alternating bands of metal and black rubber.

[Spence]

Could make a light weight leather vambrace to go under it or perhaps even a vambrace made in the fashion of a linen padded jack/arming coat sleeve.
To get an idea, look at a gambeson/padded jack/arming coat and just use the sleeve pattern cut to the length a few inches from the elbow.
Would most likely be more confortable if you have hairy forearms like I do,
maille is not to kind to body hair.
All you would have to do is have it lace on the end toward your elbow.Run the lace through the rings and loops in the padded vambrace etc.

[AwP]

That seems like it would work, another thing you could do is use a simple leather thong to lace it on tight, or you could just attach it to a sleeve, or to a leather vambrace.

[Konstantin the Red]

Everybody's gone over the two basic ways: neoprene rings for a stretchy piece, and putting a leather cuff beneath, usually fastenings attached to this part -- more convenient that way.

I wouldn't confuse this piece of renfaire jewelry with a piece of armor (not comprehensive enough for the job) -- wear it as your lady's favor.