Mail Shirt
Cultureprobably
Persian
Dateprobably 1600–1650
Mediumsteel
Dimensions80.5 × 147 cm (31 11/16 × 57 7/8 in.), 14 lb (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.835
DescriptionLong-sleeved, front-opening shirt of iron rings, alternating riveted and solid. Tailoring at waistline. Gussets inset under each arm and squared bottom placket neck, front and rear, made from thicker rings of triangular cross-section. Edge of shirt is straight-cut, with small "U"-shaped slit at mid-width; sleeves are pointed. Long sleeves are "cut" on the bias at the ends. The base of the back is vertically slit for approximately 6.5 inches for mounted use.Heavy links at chest and neck, internal dia. about 10 mm with triangular cross section; smaller links are about 6 mm. Tiny fragments of what may be leather can be seen sandwiched between the riveted ends of many of the links, evidently an artifact of the production process.
Shirt of iron rings opening down the front from the upstanding collar to the level bottom at the tops of the hips. Tapering sleeves reaching to the wrists. There are at least three distinguishable ring types: heavy rings of triangular section covering the neck and chest; medium size rings on the belly; small ones on the skirt and cuffs.
The front opening is currently held shut with thin iron wire.
ProvenancePurchased from Fenton and sons Ltd (11 New Oxford St London), their number 2415, by JWH on 23 March 1927. Price 3/11/9. Given to the Armory on 26 Dec. 1946. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, Janaury 2014.
On View
Not on viewCollections
There are no works to discover for this record.