Chainmail Coifs

Mail was thought to have been invented by the Celts. The earliest example was found in a Celtic Chieftain's burial in Romania. It was a popular form of defence for the warrior elite of the Viking and Early Medieval periods. It is often (wrongly) referred to as chainmail but this terminology was first introduced by Sir Walter Scott in 1822 in his novel "The Fortunes of Nigel". In the medieval period, it was simply known as "Mail".

The coif was designed to protect the head, neck and shoulders against damage from bladed weapons. It was very effective at doing so - the Royal Armouries have conducted tests with well-made mail and concluded that "it is almost impossible to penetrate using any conventional medieval weapon". The Mail Coif is constructed by hand from hundreds of steel rings and will fit all but the largest of heads. The rings are zinc plated to provide a shiny, maintenance-free finish that is resistant to rust.

This item is crafted using mild steel rings. If you require even greater durability please check our high tensile steel products or our Riveted Chainmail section.

Finish: Zinc plated
Material: 16 gauge Mild Steel
Ring Type: Round / Butted
Diameter: 8mm
Weight: 3.5kg

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Buy the Chainmail Coif - Square Face - Butted Zinc Plated Round Ring Steel with confidence from the UK’s leading chainmail retailer.

Our Chainmail Coif is handcrafted using riveted steel rings. The rings are uncoated mild steel to provide an authentic finish and covered in a light layer of oil to prevent rust. If you don’t require this level of durability please check our Butted Chainmail section for cheaper prices.

Finish: Natural
Material: 16 gauge Mild Steel
Ring Type: Round / Dome Head Riveted
Diameter: 9mm
Weight: 3.5kg

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Buy the Chainmail Coif - Square Face - Dome Riveted Round Ring Steel with confidence from the UK’s leading chainmail retailer.

Mail was thought to have been invented by the Celts. The earliest example was found in a Celtic Chieftain's burial in Romania. It was a popular form of defence for the warrior elite of the Viking and Early Medieval periods. It is often (wrongly) referred to as chainmail but this terminology was first introduced by Sir Walter Scott in 1822 in his novel "The Fortunes of Nigel". In the medieval period it was simply known as "Mail".

The coif was designed to protect the head, neck and shoulders against damage from bladed weapons. It was very effective at doing so - the Royal Armouries have conducted tests with well-made mail and concluded that "it is almost impossible to penetrate using any conventional medieval weapon". The Mail Coif is constructed by hand from hundreds of steel rings and will fit all but the largest of heads. The rings are uncoated mild steel to provide an authentic finish and covered in a light layer of oil to prevent rust.

This item is crafted using mild steel rings. If you require even greater durability please check our high tensile steel products or our Riveted Chainmail section.

Finish: Natural
Material: 16 gauge Mild Steel
Ring Type: Round / Butted
Diameter: 9.5mm

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Buy the Chainmail Coif - Square Face - Butted Round Ring Steel with confidence from the UK’s leading chainmail retailer.

Our medieval chainmail coif/hood is the classic chainmail hood popular in LARP, reenactment medieval events. It would be the perfect protection under your favourite kettle hat or even worn as your main head protection for your favourite character.

This coif utilizes a unique mail constructed of 14 gauge aluminium round rings, 10mm diameter, alternating with rubber solid rings. This method yields an extremely lightweight yet durable shirt for use where ease of wear is important. The material is very forgiving of the size and shape of the wearer, conforming naturally to the body; the elasticity allows for unrestricted movement. The combination of comfort and great looks makes this a preferred mail type for theater, costume, and movie productions, making it durable enough for LARP as well.

Length: 50cm
Head Circumference: 55-65cm

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

This V face chainmail coif/hood is the classic chainmail hood popular in LARP, reenactment medieval events. It would be the perfect protection under your favourite kettle hat or even worn as your main head protection for your favourite character.

It is intricately HANDMADE from butted 16 gauge mild steel rings, each with a diameter of approx. 10 mm. It is this feature of being butted that makes it affordable and hence, popular in LARP, Renaissance fair, and other medieval events.

Total Length: 48cm
Head Circumference: 61cm
Shoulder Circumference: 112cm

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

This V face chainmail coif/hood is the classic chainmail hood popular in LARP, reenactment medieval events. It would be the perfect protection under your favourite kettle hat or even worn as your main head protection for your favourite character.

It is intricately HANDMADE from butted 16 gauge mild steel rings, each with a diameter of approx. 10 mm. It is this feature of being butted that makes it affordable and hence, popular in LARP, Renaissance fair, and other medieval events.

Total Length: 48cm
Head Circumference: 61cm
Shoulder Circumference: 112cm

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.