Product description
This short-sleeved chainmail shirt fits people with a medium chest size. Wide enough to wear over a gambeson, it offers plenty of room underneath. The sleeves cover about 2/3 of the arm, and the length reaches about halfway down the thigh. We recommend this size for anyone with a chest circumference of 90 cm to 125 cm. Wear it over a gambeson — the shirt accommodates up to 140 cm under the arms. Fully riveted beneath the armpit, the rings hold firm even under hard movement, keeping the shirt intact for years of use.
Short chainmail shirts like these were worn by Vikings and others in the early Middle Ages. They stayed in use until the 11th century, then made a comeback in the second half of the 14th century. By that point, they were called haubergeons — a diminutive of hauberk, meaning a long chainmail shirt. Haubergeons deliver optimal protection with more freedom of movement than the hauberk. That made them ideal to wear under armor.
Attach armor parts to the shoulders and arms of the haubergeon using leather laces.
The bare version is not galvanized and ships heavily oiled. Remove the excess oil before first use. Un-galvanized chain mail needs regular treatment with a maintenance oil such as Ballistol.
