Authentic Viking chainmail?

Stefan of Kiel · Post by **Stefan of Kiel** » Sun Jun 10, 2001 7:23 pm

I'm looking for information on authentic Viking chainmail that would have been worn in the 10th to 11th century. Would they have worn hauberks? Sleeves attatched at 90 degrees or 45? Or the pattern continued from the body? Would dags have been period? Square neck opening or square? Long sleeve or short?

Any information would be helpful. I can make the piece myself, I just need to know what to make. Thanks in advance.

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Stefan of Kiel

If you can't use finese, then make a mess.

Erik Schmidt · Post by **Erik Schmidt** » Sun Jun 10, 2001 7:53 pm

The only picture I have of Viking chainmaille is one I took at the Viking collection in Copenhagen. I don't know it's date.
It is long, probably knee length, with short, elbow length, sleeves.
The sleeves are not joined at 45 degrees, but of inegral construction with the torso as is common in many periods.
The neck seems round and small.
If you look at the Bayeux Tapestry, you will see that this is a very common style of the time.

Erik

muttman · Post by **muttman** » Sun Jun 10, 2001 8:23 pm

I addressed most of these questions on your other post. I will answer the ones that were not there, here. Dags would not be period. Sleeves would be around elbow length I think.
Good luck in construction! Are you making this to fight in? If you havn`t made butted combat grade mail before, there are many people here (myself included) who can give you guidence on things like gauge and link id.
If you have, I`ll just shut up now

John

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"and the springfieldians heroicly slaughtered there enemys while they prayed for mercy!"

Stefan of Kiel · Post by **Stefan of Kiel** » Mon Jun 11, 2001 5:10 am

Thanks for the info Muttman. I will be making this for someone to fight in it. He wants the rings to be 1/4" mild steel, about 16 gauge. He saw one of my 1/4" stainless steel shirts and liked the feel of the small links, but wants it be more authentic and go with mild steel. I know my stainless shirt would put up with SCA combat easily, but I wasn't sure about the mild steel. The small size of the 1/4" ring should keep it together pretty good. He knows that he will have to do repairs once in a while. Thanks again.

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Stefan of Kiel

If you can't use finese, then make a mess.

Brodir · Post by **Brodir** » Wed Jun 13, 2001 10:56 am

Um, I've seen numerous Saxon images from the same period with dagged maille shirts, Viking at least had exposure to the practice of not downright practicing it themselves.