Mail Leg Defenses
Culture
Indian
or
Culture
Persian
Date1700s, with later alterations
MediumIron with string or textile
Dimensions102 × 42 cm (40 3/16 × 16 9/16 in.), 6 lb, 12 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.851.2
DescriptionVery long, feet open at sole. Relatively large, loose-weave links. Alternating riveted and solid mail with 2 sizes of links; smaller (solid) are about 9mm interior diameter, larger (riveted) about 10mm. Links are of round cross-section. Lots of wear, losses, and repairs. 2014.851.2 has multiple different zones of mail, with opened links at the juncture, suggesting patching in a period after the mail was in serious use.Feet are in poor condition, which argues for genuine use.
Label TextThese leg protections alternate riveted with hammer-welded links. Mail leg defenses were worn by knights in the Middle Ages, as in the nearby manuscript illustration, but no examples survive.ProvenanceCollection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
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