FireStryker Living History Forum : Attaching leather to mail

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Topic: Attaching leather to mail

Paul Tompkins
New Member
Member # 1430

posted 05-02-2007 10:52 PM

Hello all-

In assembling various pieces of chain mail, I've started to wonder how to best attach leather in various forms to the mail. I have two specific cases in mind:

1) How might I attach a soft leather liner inside a mail standard (collar) or inside a high collar as part of a haubergeon? I'd also love to hear from anyone who has attached a gamboised liner to the inside of an aventail, for example.

2) How can I effectively attach buckle straps to the split in a haubergeon (or mail standard for that matter)?

I understand there may not be period evidence of this, but perhaps there is? Even modern techniques for creating replicas would be appreciated!

Thanks all,

-Paul

Registered: Feb 2007 | IP: Logged

Lord Thomas the Black
Member
Member # 394

posted 05-03-2007 04:23 AM

The best way I've found to attach the soft leather to the standard is to stitch through both the maille and leather, with the leather wrong-side-out. By that I mean, whatever side you want against your skin, stitch with that side facing the maille, with the leather on the OUTSIDE of the standard. then fold the leather over the collar of the standard, so the leather covers the top row of maille. This will give you a fairly secure stitch, and a comfortable standard as well.

--------------------

Lord Thomas the Black
of House Leatherwolf
Rogue #693, Merc #373,
Mailler, Leathersmith

Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

Paul Tompkins
New Member
Member # 1430

posted 05-03-2007 08:20 AM

Lord Thomas-

Thank you for your reply. A couple of follow-up questions:

1) Do you use sinew or the like as thread? I imagine it has to be very strong.

2) How do you keep the leather from bunching up on the mail links?

3) Do you sew around the entire edge (as you might do for a hood liner) or just at the top of the collar?

Again, thanks!

-Paul

Registered: Feb 2007 | IP: Logged

Lord Thomas the Black
Member
Member # 394

posted 05-04-2007 04:16 AM

1.) I use waxed linen. it looks like sinew, and is still pretty strong. Since I'm working with riveted maille, it doesn't need to be as strong as with butted maille.
2.) Make sure your maille is hanging "closed". That way, you have more links per inch of leather, and you won't get as bad a bunching problem. Also, keep your stitches only as tight as you need to hold on the leather. they don't need to be excessively tight. Another option is to fold the leather over the top of the maille, and stitch leather-to-leather through the maille. It's not as pretty, but it's a lot easier.
3.) I just went around the top of the collar, since that's the only point where it rubbed against skin, and needed the leather padding. The leather lays flat under the maille just fine without being sewn at the bottom. You can do it either way, whatever works for you. If historical accuracy is an issue, you may want to contact someone more knowledgeable than I regarding how it was done in period.

--------------------

Lord Thomas the Black
of House Leatherwolf
Rogue #693, Merc #373,
Mailler, Leathersmith

Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

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