Roman Lorica Hamata High-Tensile Butted Chainmail Armour

"A legionary marches leagues before striking a single blow; his mail must endure the road as stoutly as the shield-wall." Osric, Keeper of the Hearth & Forge

From the first century BCE through the fourth century CE, the Lorica Hamata served as the iron backbone of the Roman legions. While later strip armour like the Lorica Segmentata arose, seasoned commanders trusted the interlinked rings of the Hamata for superior flexibility, lasting resilience, and straightforward maintenance in the field.

Patterned with traditional short sleeves and a mid-thigh cut, this mail shirt preserves full range of movement when advancing in formation. It is woven link by link from nine-millimetre, sixteen-gauge high tensile wire rings. The tempered spring-steel wire provides far greater stamina against wear than standard mild steel, whilst the butted construction keeps the weight manageable on prolonged campaigns. The natural finish retains a true martial appearance suited for living history, theatrical productions, and LARP combat.

Each shirt is worked entirely by hand from thousands of individual rings. As with historical armour from ancient workbenches, minor variances in the weave are natural hallmarks of artisan craftsmanship, easily set right with basic pliers. For optimal comfort and deflection, always don this mail over a padded arming tunic or subarmalis. After service, wipe away moisture and sweat with a dry cloth, and apply a light coat of oil before storing in a dry garrison rack.