16G Mild Steel V-Face Chainmail Coif | 10mm Butted Rings

When outfitting foot soldiers at my forge, I always stress that protection must never blind a warrior to incoming strikes. This medieval chainmail coif incorporates a traditional V-shaped facial opening, framing your eyes and cheeks while shielding your throat, chin, and shoulders from glancing blows during a frantic melee.

Hand-assembled from 16-gauge mild steel, the coif uses 10 mm-diameter round rings woven into a classic four-in-one butted pattern. This configuration balances rugged structural integrity with fluid flexibility, allowing you to turn your head without binding or pulling against your gear. The wide lower mantle drapes evenly over your chest and back, integrating seamlessly with a leather brigandine, steel breastplate, or quilted gambeson.

Whether you are standing watch on garrison duty or joining the line in a full-scale battle re-enactment, this V-face mail coif delivers a historically authentic profile and practical utility in the field.

Osric's Workbench Advice: Never wear interlinked iron directly over bare skin or unpadded linen. To ensure complete comfort and safety on campaign, pair this coif with a thick quilted canvas arming cap and padded collar. The padding absorbs the blunt kinetic shock of weapon impacts while preventing the steel links from pulling hair or chafing skin. Because mild steel reacts to rain and sweat, wipe the coif clean after use and treat the rings with mineral oil to prevent rust.

"A sharp steel blade glides harmlessly off interlinked iron, and this V-face mantle keeps your line of sight clear when the shield wall clashes." — Osric, Master Smith