Mail Sleeve 16th century
Body section formed of small slightly oval rings with an inside diameter app. .20x.24 inch. Round section wire app. .045 in diameter was used to make these rings. The end of the sleeve is formed of slightly smaller rings .20 id and smaller wire, app. .035 inch in diameter. The outside diameter of the rings is app. .30-.32 in the body and .027-.028 at the wrist. With area covering the shoulder and armpit, full sleeve with bend at the elbow and tapering to the form of the arm. Iron rings of round cross section all riveted. The flattened area at the rivet is slightly bevelled on both sides forming a cross section that is roughly a diamond shape. Wedge rivets flush on the inside and forming a shallow point on the outside. The sleeve is tailored using a line of reductions on the upper arm running in a line from near the rear corner of the cross-grain joint of the armpit to a place about 3 inches from elbow. It also has two lines of row reductions in the forearm. Appears to be for the left arm. There is what appears to be an intentional slit 5 rings deep at the outside of the wrist. The largest set of holes is near the inside of the elbow. In two cases there is a highly deformed ring right next to the missing ring. This may indicate actual damage in use. Purchased as a pair with item number M-17-a.
Weight 4 pounds 3.2 ounces (1905g)
If you have any questions, please send them to Wade Allen
This site last updated Sat Dec 17 10:50:49 EST 2022