Chainmail: Timeless armor for history enthusiasts
Chainmail has been one of the most widely used armor types since the Middle Ages. Known for its durability and iconic appearance, it remains a cornerstone of medieval reenactment, LARP, and show combat today. At Zeughaus, you’ll find an extensive collection of chainmail, chainmail hoods, and chainmail hauberks, crafted with precision to suit various needs.
The symbolism and craft of chainmail
Few pieces of equipment are as emblematic of medieval knights as chainmail. Often referred to as ring armor by historians, it traces its roots back to at least the fourth century BC. Composed of tens of thousands of interlocking steel rings, medieval chainmail armor was both a testament to craftsmanship and a status symbol, affordable only for the elite.
A complete suit of chainmail included multiple components: chainmail shirts, chainmail hoods, and chainmail leggings. Additional elements like chain collars, skirts, and mittens offered further protection and versatility.
Chainmail hoods and chainmail hauberks: essential elements of armor
To protect against cuts, knights commonly paired chainmail hauberks with chainmail hoods and gambesons. While chainmail hoods shielded the head and neck, gambesons provided padded protection beneath the armor, mitigating the force of blows and ensuring greater comfort.
Your chainmail, your way – only at Zeughaus
Zeughaus offers a wide range of chainmail armor components based on historical designs, including:
- Short chainmail / haubergeons
- Long chainmail / hauberks
- Chain arms / voiders
- Chainmail hoods / coiffes
- Chain leggings / chausses
Our chainmail pieces vary in cut and craftsmanship, reflecting their historical counterparts. Whether you’re looking for chainmail hoods or full suits of armor, Zeughaus has something for every enthusiast.
The craft of chainmail: rings that make the armor
Our chainmail is available in two traditional styles:
- Flat rings: Known for their stately appearance and historical use during Roman times.
- Round rings: Common in medieval armor, crafted from round metal wire.
Both flat and round rings can be riveted or unriveted. Riveted chainmail offers superior durability and historical authenticity, while unriveted variants are a more affordable option for beginners.
For those seeking resilience and long-term use, riveted chainmail hoods and hauberks provide exceptional quality and authenticity.
Materials matter: choose the right chainmail for you
In the Middle Ages, chainmail was predominantly crafted from steel. Modern advancements, however, allow for a wider range of materials, each with unique properties:
- Steel chainmail: Traditional and robust but requires maintenance to prevent rust.
- Stainless steel chainmail: Rust-resistant and low maintenance.
- Aluminum chainmail: Lightweight and ideal for LARP or costuming.
- Titanium chainmail: Premium, durable, and exceptionally lightweight – perfect for intensive use.
Zeughaus also offers treated steel options, such as burnished or galvanized chainmail, for added rust resistance and ease of care.
Chainmail: combining history and modernity
Whether you’re a reenactor, LARP enthusiast, or filmmaker, Zeughaus has the perfect chainmail to meet your needs. From authentic, weighty reproductions to lightweight, modern alternatives, our collection ensures quality, durability, and style.
Invest in a knightly companion that combines time-honored craftsmanship with contemporary materials. Explore our selection of chainmail hoods, chainmail hauberks, and more, and find the armor that suits your character and purpose.
Let Zeughaus equip you for your next adventure with chainmail that embodies the spirit of medieval knighthood.
