Viking Mail Shirt

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Mail armor was known as brynja among the Vikings and was typically worn in the form of a mail shirt by those wealthy enough to afford it.

Our mail shirt is made from uncoated 14-gauge riveted round mild steel rings combined with 14-gauge solid flat mild steel washers. The rings have an outer diameter of 10 mm, offering a strong balance between protection, durability, and historical appearance. The shirt features half sleeves and is available in three sizes.

The design is based on archaeological evidence from two important Viking Age finds: the Gjermundbu mail shirt from Norway and the mail armor discovered at the garrison of Birka in Sweden. We have also drawn on Fredrik Ehlton’s bachelor’s thesis in archaeology, Ringväv från Birkas garnison, which examines the Birka find in detail. Together, these sources provide valuable insight into the dimensions and construction of Viking Age mail.

The Gjermundbu find contained rings with an approximate outer diameter of 7–8 mm and a thickness of around 1–1.4 mm.

The rings from the Birka garrison can be divided into two main groups: thicker rings measuring approximately 2–3 mm in thickness and 12–13 mm in diameter, and thinner rings measuring around 1–2 mm in thickness and 10–12 mm in diameter. The find contained roughly equal numbers of solid and riveted rings, supporting the use of alternating rows of solid and riveted rings.

For our mail shirt, we chose dimensions that fall within the range represented by these finds: approximately 1.5 mm in thickness and 10 mm in outer diameter.

SIZE GUIDE

Medium Size:
- Chest circumference: 120 cm / 47 inches
- Length: 80 cm / 31 inches
- Length of sleeve: 25 cm / 10 inches
- Weight: Approx. 12.7 kg / 28 lbs

Large Size:
- Chest circumference: 130 cm / 51 inches.
- Length: 85 cm / 33 inches
- Length of sleeve: 30 cm / 12 inches
- Weight: Approx. 14.5 kg / 32 lbs

Extra-Large Size:
- Chest circumference: 140 cm / 55 inches.
- Length: 90 cm / 35 inches
- Length of sleeve: 35 cm / 14 inches
- Weight: Approx. 16.7 kg / 37 lbs

HEAD OPENING

It is quite simple to remove a few rings from the sides of the head opening, if you wish it to be wider. A popular method is also to cut open rings down the frong, creating a "slit" that can be closed with leather cords.

PUTTING IT ON AND TAKING IT OFF

Putting on a heavy mail shirt for the first time can feel a little daunting, but the right technique makes it much easier.

1. Start by sliding both arms into the sleeves. Then lift the shirt above your head and let it slide down over your body. If you are worried about your hair or beard getting caught in the rings, you can wear something over your head while putting it on.
   
   
2. Once the mail shirt is in place, wearing a belt around your waist can help take some of the weight off your shoulders. Fasten the belt so that it is secure but not too tight. Then raise your arms slightly to lift the mail shirt and allow some of the material to gather above the belt. When you lower your arms again, part of the shirt’s weight should rest on the belt.
   
   
3. Taking off a mail shirt can also seem difficult the first time, but the key is to let gravity do most of the work. Stretch your arms out in front of you, or raise them before bending forward. Lean down so that your upper body is angled toward the ground rather than held horizontally. From there, gently shake your body and let the mail shirt slide forward and off. Make sure your chin clears the opening early in the process so that the full weight of the shirt does not catch against it.

It can be helpful to have someone nearby to assist you the first time. Once you have learned the technique, putting on and removing a mail shirt becomes much quicker and easier.