Hi Thomas,I believe it largely depends on where the mail was manufactured, or where it was stored. Nuremburg had very strict rules regarding makers marks and crafts guilds (and it produced a lot of mail), which is why you find many makers marks/links with the notation for the town on them - we have a fragment in the Higgins with a similar mark from Nuremburg, but a different maker, late 15th century.
I have seen Russian mail with lead globs/circles pressed around a link, with an eagle mark - I believe these are arsenal marks. I believe it very likely Italian mail had makers links or some marks, given most Italian plate armour was marked. Talismanic marks apparently go in and out of fashion, much like the engraved or pontille work scripture on 14h & 15th century plate armour. A lot of Western European armour (not German or Italian) has no apparent makers marks, although some carry marks of towns or arsenals. Some cities and towns regulated any armour sold in the town should be inspected, and stamped with the town mark before sale of the item was allowed.
I don't think anyone can give you a definitive answer yet (and not be bullshitting you), as the study of mail is truely in it's infancy. It should encourage you to know however that with the research being done on the cutting edge, there seems to be disinct regional characteristics to some mail. I am sure more will be revealed in the future.
[edited because we need a new keyboard that doesn't constantly drop the 'T's.]
[ 06-12-2003: Message edited by: Fire Stryker ]
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Bob R.
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posted 06-11-2003 11:26 AM
