Chain arms
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Delivery time: 9 - 11 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
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Delivery time: 9 - 11 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
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Chainmail arm guards and chainmail sleeves protect the arm from the wrist to the shoulder – either as standalone arm protection or as an addition to a hauberk and haubergeon, gambeson and plate armour. In this category you will find 28 items: from simple, unriveted beginner’s pairs starting at around €17 to elaborately wedge-riveted flat-ring sleeve pairs in late medieval style for over €440.
What are chainmail sleeves? Function and historical background
Chainmail sleeves – also known as chainmail arm guards – are a separate element of medieval armour designed exclusively to protect the arm. You therefore do not need a full coat of mail to obtain this protection: chainmail sleeves can be flexibly combined with other armour pieces or worn as a standalone accessory.
Historically speaking, chainmail armour was widespread from the Early Middle Ages well into the Late Middle Ages. Medieval chainmail armour referred to a protective mesh woven from interlocking metal rings, which offered significantly better resistance to slashing and stabbing weapons than simple surcoats or leather armour. In the High Middle Ages (11th–13th centuries), warriors and knights frequently wore the so-called hauberk – a long chainmail shirt with integrated sleeves. From the 13th century onwards, and increasingly in the 14th and 15th centuries, combined plate armour became the norm: plates protected the chest, back and limbs, whilst chain mail filled the gaps between the plates. In this combination, chain mail sleeves provided critical protection for the crook of the elbow, the armpit and the forearm.
Whether chainmail is better than iron armour cannot be answered in general terms: chainmail provides excellent protection against slashing and cutting wounds, but offers less resistance to thrusts and concentrated impact than plate armour. This is why the late Middle Ages relied on a combination of both systems – and this is precisely where separate chainmail sleeves demonstrate their strength.
An overview of ring types and manufacturing processes
The quality and protective effectiveness of chain arms depend largely on the ring type and the manufacturing method. The following table provides an overview of the most important variants:
| Ring type / Method | Suitability | Special features |
|---|---|---|
| Round rings, unriveted | LARP / Costume | Lightweight, inexpensive, lower stability; rings may come apart |
| Round rings, riveted (4-in-1) | Exhibition fighting | Good value for money, significantly more stable than unriveted |
| Flat rings, riveted | Reenactment | Flat profile, lighter weight for the same surface area, historically accurate |
| Flat rings, wedge-riveted + stamped | Historical | Most labour-intensive method; wedge rivets sit more securely than round rivets, late medieval replica |
| Ring diameter Ø 9 mm | Entry level / LARP | Larger rings, faster production, lower price |
| Ring diameter Ø 8 mm | Exhibition fighting / Reenactment | Mid-range standard, good protection-to-weight ratio |
| Ring diameter Ø 6 mm | Historical / Premium | Finest mesh, historically accurate to original finds, longest production time |
How long does it take to make a chainmail shirt – or, in this case, a pair of chainmail sleeves? A pair of riveted flat-ring sleeves with a ring diameter of 6 mm consists of tens of thousands of individual rings, each of which must be closed and riveted by hand. Depending on the design, experienced craftsmen require between 200 and over 600 hours of pure handwork to produce a complete chainmail shirt. Only items produced on an industrial scale or with larger ring diameters can be manufactured in significantly less time – high-quality chain arms made from wedge-riveted flat rings therefore remain genuine handcrafted pieces.
Attached chain sleeves vs. individual chain arm guards
Within the range, you will find two basic designs. Connected chain sleeves are sewn or hooked directly onto a chain coat or hauberk – they form a single unit with the upper garment and offer seamless protection from the shoulder to the wrist. This variant is typical of complete chainmail sets and is historically the more common form.
Standalone chainmail arm guards, on the other hand, are worn separately and secured to the arm or shoulder area with leather straps. They offer greater flexibility: you can wear them with a gambeson, a tunic or under plate arm guards without being tied to a specific chainmail shirt. Many re-enactors appreciate this solution because it allows them to replace or supplement individual armour pieces independently of one another.
On choosing the right size: Most chainmail sleeves in the range are approx. 65 cm long and cover the arm completely from the wrist to the shoulder. Sizes range from S to XXL – the size is based mainly on the circumference of the arm, rather than the length. Please check the product description when purchasing, as some models are available in several size options.
Materials: carbon steel, spring steel and galvanised steel
The metal used significantly affects the weight, durability, maintenance requirements and price of your chainmail sleeves.
Carbon steel is the classic material for medieval replicas. It is robust, easy to shape and provides the typical appearance of polished steel. Without regular maintenance, carbon steel can develop slight rust in damp conditions – it should be stored in a dry place and treated with oil from time to time.
Spring steel has a higher spring hardness than ordinary carbon steel: the rings spring back more easily to their original shape after being subjected to stress and are less prone to permanent deformation. This makes it particularly suitable for intensive display combat or LARP use, where the armour is exposed to repeated mechanical stress.
Galvanised steel offers the best rust resistance of the three variants and is cheaper to purchase. It is well suited for beginners who regularly venture outdoors without wanting to undertake major maintenance. The visual difference from bare steel is minimal.
Why are chainmail shirts no longer used in military applications today? Modern protective equipment made from ballistic fibres and ceramic plates offers far greater protection against projectiles and explosive effects at a much lower weight – chainmail is largely ineffective against firearms. As a historical replica and stage combat outfit, however, it has lost none of its fascination.
Chainmail armour by application: LARP, stage combat and re-enactment
- Riveted round rings or flat rings recommended
- Wedge-riveted flat rings for historically accurate representations
- Ring diameter Ø 6–8 mm for late medieval replicas
- Polished or burnished depending on the period and portrayal
- Combine with chainmail coifs and chainmail gloves for full protection
- Carbon steel or spring steel for intensive use
- Unriveted round rings are sufficient for costume and occasional use
- Ring diameter Ø 9 mm: lighter and more affordable
- Galvanised steel for hassle-free everyday use
- Separate chain arms can be flexibly combined with leather straps
- Polished finish for a visually appealing look
- Can be complemented with chain collars or chain leg warmers
What should you wear under chain arms?
If worn directly against bare skin, chain rings would chafe and press uncomfortably under strain – historically, this problem was just as well known as it is today. The answer lies in undergarments.
In the Middle Ages, people wore a so-called arming doublet – or at least a linen doublet – under the chainmail – and thus also under the chainmail sleeves. This close-fitting under-jacket cushions the metal away from the body, prevents chafing and absorbs some of the impact energy. The simpler term ‘gambeson’, in its padded form, also provides genuine protection: it significantly reduces the force of blows before the chain mail is even subjected to stress. A gambeson is therefore an essential addition for anyone who wears chainmail sleeves seriously.
In the late Middle Ages, when plate armour came into use, chainmail sleeves filled the gaps between the plates – particularly in the armpit and at the crook of the elbow, which could not be covered by rigid metal plates. Arm guards made from plate sections also come into play here, forming a complete protection system together with chainmail sleeves.
Price ranges and quality levels for chainmail vests
Unriveted round rings made of galvanised steel – suitable for costumes, first LARP equipment and occasional use. A quick and straightforward solution when appearance matters more than maximum durability. Leather straps for fastening are usually included.
Riveted round rings or flat rings made of carbon steel or spring steel. This class is suitable for exhibition combat, durable and covers the majority of historical re-enactments. Riveted variants with a diameter of 8–9 mm offer a balanced ratio of weight, protective effect and price. Well suited for re-enactment in the High Middle Ages.
Wedge-riveted flat rings with a diameter of 6–8 mm – the most elaborate design in the range. Each ring is individually secured with a wedge rivet, which sits more firmly than a round rivet. These chain links most closely resemble the preserved original finds from the late Middle Ages and are the right choice for historically ambitious reenactments. The high price is solely due to the enormous amount of work involved in their production: not a mass-produced item, but genuine handcrafted work.
Whether you’re adding to your first armour set or building a historically accurate late medieval costume – with the right chainmail sleeves, you’ll close the most important gap in protection between your shoulder and wrist. Browse the range and combine them with chainmail coifs, chainmail gloves and a gambeson.
Frequently asked questions
Unriveted chainmail sleeves are woven from open rings that are simply hooked together. They are cheaper and lighter, but can come undone under heavy strain – which is why they are particularly suitable for costumes and occasional LARP use. Riveted chainmail sleeves have each ring additionally secured with a rivet: this makes them significantly more robust and stable, ensuring they hold up reliably even in exhibition combat and re-enactment.
‘Attached’ refers to chainmail sleeves that are hooked or sewn directly onto a chainmail tunic or hauberk, thus forming a single, solid unit. In contrast, there are freestanding chainmail sleeves, which are worn separately on the arm and secured with leather straps. Attached designs offer more seamless protection, whilst freestanding models can be combined more flexibly.
The sizing for chainmail sleeves is based primarily on arm circumference, not arm length. The length of most models is around 65 cm, extending from the wrist to the shoulder. Measure your upper arm circumference and compare it with the size chart for the relevant product – if in doubt, we recommend choosing the next larger size to ensure the mesh does not fit too tightly.
Yes, this is historically accurate and also makes practical sense: plate armour leaves gaps, particularly at the armpits, the crook of the elbow and other joint areas, which cannot be covered by rigid plates. Chainmail sleeves fill precisely these gaps in protection and were an integral part of combined knight’s armour in the late Middle Ages.
Carbon steel is prone to slight rusting when exposed to moisture. Store the chain arms in a dry place and, after each use in damp conditions, apply a thin coat of oil – weapon oil or neutral machine oil works well. Light rust spots can be removed with a fine steel wool pad. Spring steel is slightly more resistant, but benefits from the same care measures.