African chainmail

Lee · 28th May 2022, 10:36 AM

Though not specifically relevant to Sudanese mail, this online article from The Collector may be of interest: Mail Armor (Chainmail): History and 11 Different Types by Civilization

Tim Simmons · 28th May 2022, 04:37 PM

Nigerian Panoply arms and armour of the Northern Region. A. D. H, Bivar 1964 Department of Antiquities Federal Republic of Nigeria.

short extract.

Chain Armour, to offer effective protection against pointed weapons, is necessarily composed of riveted links. In modern times mail shirts have been made from butted links or split rings.1. Although these would give some protection from sword cuts and grazing strokes, their vulnerability to thrusting weapons suggests that the purpose of such armour would be more ceremonial than utilitarian. I have examined one shirt composed of split rings at Birnin Kebbi, and two butted suits at Maiduguri, but apart from such exceptions, the mass of Nigerian mail has riveted links.
1 A.J. Arkell, 'The making of chainmail at Omdurman' Kush, 1956, p.83 f.

Keep in mind how expensive riveted chain mail is, the butted mail may well have been a budget version offering some protection that would be a lot better than none. So I would not want dismiss it use in battle completely. It would be a lot better than a cotton shirt.

Edster · 28th May 2022, 11:07 PM

Tim,

Here is a link to Arkell's article on making chainmail in Omdurman.

http://www.erikds.com/pdf/tmrs_pdf_9.pdf

Best,
Ed

Tim Simmons · 29th May 2022, 06:45 AM

Very cool.

28th May 2022, 04:37 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	African chain mail Nigerian Panoply arms and armour of the Northern Region. A. D. H, Bivar 1964 Department of Antiquities Federal Republic of Nigeria. short extract. Chain Armour, to offer effective protection against pointed weapons, is necessarily composed of riveted links. In modern times mail shirts have been made from butted links or split rings.1. Although these would give some protection from sword cuts and grazing strokes, their vulnerability to thrusting weapons suggests that the purpose of such armour would be more ceremonial than utilitarian. I have examined one shirt composed of split rings at Birnin Kebbi, and two butted suits at Maiduguri, but apart from such exceptions, the mass of Nigerian mail has riveted links. 1 A.J. Arkell, 'The making of chainmail at Omdurman' Kush, 1956, p.83 f. Keep in mind how expensive riveted chain mail is, the butted mail may well have been a budget version offering some protection that would be a lot better than none. So I would not want dismiss it use in battle completely. It would be a lot better than a cotton shirt.

28th May 2022, 10:36 AM	#1
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 932	Though not specifically relevant to Sudanese mail, this online article from The Collector may be of interest: Mail Armor (Chainmail): History and 11 Different Types by Civilization

28th May 2022, 11:07 PM	#3
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 411	Tim, Here is a link to Arkell's article on making chainmail in Omdurman. http://www.erikds.com/pdf/tmrs_pdf_9.pdf Best, Ed

29th May 2022, 06:45 AM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	Very cool.