tutorial

For those of you who have been asking, here is the way I started my chainmail Hauberk. After making the rings from 14 gauge galvanized steel wire, i used the cutters to cut the rings out of the coil. I then closed 4 rings and put them on an open ring. (See 1st pic) Close the open ring.

Then I fan them out as in picture 2. Also in picture 2 is an open ring with two closed rings. I simply attach the open ring to the ist section I completed and continue to do this to add length to the chain. You can see the pattern the 4-in-1 ring mail makes. Looks like Celtic knotwork

Well Folks,

At some point I decided it would be a fantastic idea for me to make my own mail Hauberk. Googling quickly lead me to realize that I wasn't the only crazy person out there that thought that making a completely impractical garment was normal. I, of course, intend to use my mail armour as costume for when I shoot  a live model for a painting.
Although, there are certainly easier ways to get mail armour reference....this is my way of justifying a 35lb garment made of little steel rings. I've included the following pictures that show my work in progress and a two links that I have found useful for making chain armour. I've also discoverd that the term "Chain Mail"  or "Knitted Mail" is incorrect and mostly like became popular in the venacular due to Dungeons and Dragons role playing game. The proper term for those of you who are wondering is simply mail or mail armour (Canadian spelling of armour).

The round bit that goes over head and sits around the neck.

A Square section that I will duplicate and attach to the round thingy from the previous picture.

The 14 gauge wire coil I made from galvanized wire, some cutters
(Which I have replace with much better ones) and some cut rings.

I'll post more pics as the project progresses...but I do have paintings to get done as well!

http://www.manningimperial.com/articles/EuropeanHauberkConstruction.pdf

http://www.artofchainmail.com/patterns/