The Art Of Mail Armor: How to Make Your Own »

Mary Brewer is a member of Society of Creative Anachronism and Ampguard. She sells mail, jewelry and swords at local fairs and offers classes in mail construction.

Picture yourself in a full set of shining mail armor at your next reenactment, fair or costume party. And the best part is that you can say you made it yourself. The Art of Mail Armor shows you how to start with a piece of wire and end with a finished garment that costs a fraction of what it would ready-made and fits perfectly because it was custom made just for you. The book features seven original patterns from the author and step-by-step diagrams and instructions for attractive coifs (head coverings), hauberks (shirts), gauntlets, (gloves) and bishop's collars, as well as juggling balls, necklaces, belts, crosses and other jewelry. Find out how easy it is to assemble your tool kit and materials; acquire the best wire for specific items; measure for a perfect fit; join, enlarge, round, angle and fit sleeves; and incorporate decorative trimmings and inlays to make your designs truly unique. Also learn some quick and easy tricks for keeping your pieces clean and shiny - with no scrubbing or expensive commercial cleaners. Whether you are a Renaissance or medieval enthusiast, reenactor, historian, martial artist, jewelry designer or just someone with an interest in armor, you'll want to add this book to your library. Even experienced mail makers will find new ideas and techniques.

Introduction
Chapter 1 Some Terminology and Comparisons, Ancient and Modern
Chapter 2 Wire Sizes
Chapter 3 Cutting Links
Chapter 4 4-on-1 Mail Pattern
Chapter 5 Joining
Chapter 6 Extending
Chapter 7 Points and Rounding
Chapter 8 Flairs
Chapter 9 Reductions
Chapter 10 6-on-1 Mail Pattern
Chapter 11 6-on-2 Mail Pattern
Chapter 12 Edge Patterns and Inlaid Designs
Chapter 13 Shirt or Hauberk
Chapter 14 Coif-Round Method
Chapter 15 Coif with Bishop's Collar-Square Construction
Chapter 16 Gauntlets
Chapter 17 Care and Polishing of Mail
Chapter 18 Jewelry
Chapter 19 Additional Types of Mail
Chapter 20 Photo Gallery