Mail and Lamellar Coat
Culture
Indian
Datepossibly 1600s
Mediumiron with feather, fabric and fibers
Dimensions80 × 142 cm (31 1/2 × 55 7/8 in.), 10 lb 6 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.875
DescriptionSingle strip of lamellae down the back with scalloped lower edges. Mail links are extremely fine, alternating riveted and solid. Solid links are of square cross-section, riveted are round. Rivets are copper.
Long sleeves. Leather edging around the collar and front opening, stuffed with fiber and cloth (perhaps wool).
Label TextLinks of mail have a tendency to break, but it's not always obvious why. The microscopy on a broken link from this mail shirt tells us a story. The large hole in the metal is where the rivet used to be, and where the break occurred. The long, heavy slag lines in the metal tell us that this iron was very impure—each slag line is a crack waiting to happen in the metal.ProvenancePurchased by John W. Higgins on November 2, 1927 from W.O. Oldman, 77 Brixton Hill, London, England. Given to the Museum on December 15, 1931. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
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