Roman Lorica Hamata

Description of the Product

Lorica Hamata is a mail armor used by the Roman armies. It was used for almost 700 years, from around the 3rd century BCE until the end of the 5th century. Lorica Hamata was a sleeveless (or short-sleeved) mail shirt with a second layer of mail added to the shoulders for additional protection. Most of the blows, using warfare tactics of that time, came precisely to the shoulders, which were not always fully protected behind the large shield, so this additional protection was needed. The edges of the shoulder have leather border, which helped the two layers of ring armor to stay neatly on top of each other, increased comfort and as a good looking add-on added some style to the soldier's appearance (appearances were important during Roman times also). The shoulder pads are permanently fixed to the shirt on the back side, and at the front they are closed with hooks. Lorica Hamata was always rather short body armor and ended already at the hips or slightly below the hips of the user.

Mail armor had already been invented before the Romans adopted it, although the origins of mail is not completely certain. The Roman armies needed reform, and during 3rd century BCE the Romans adopted weapons, shields and armor from their neighbors as they reformed their military forces. Mail armor was most probably copied from the Gauls – a Celtic tribe – who crossed the Alps and waged war against the Romans in the area of modern Northern Italy. The Gauls were the Celtic inheritors of the La Tène culture and used mail armor for protection.

Lorica hamata was used both during the Roman Republic and Empire. Lorica Hamata wasn't the only armor used by Roman armies but overall it was the most common protection for legionaries throughout the long history of Rome. During the first century CE Lorica segmentata plate armor began to supplant Lorica hamata as a protection for the heavily armored legionaries, becoming increasingly common until the 4th century. However also the mail armor remained in constant use on the legionaries until the end of Roman rule. The Auxilia troops and the cavalry never switched out of Lorica hamata, and with these troops mail armor remained in use throughout the entire history of Rome.

This mail armor is made of 1.6 mm thick spring steel links. Each link is bent together (butted mail), and since spring steel is very tough, durable and flexible, this shirt can withstand use even in combat training. The stitching is a typical four ring through fifth style. In Roman mail, the rings were typically butted till approx 50 CE and after this mail made of individually riveted rings began to be used and riveted mail became more common.

This mail comes lightly oiled. Unprotected/non-galvanized steel rusts/corrodes easily and we therefore recommend that you keep your mail constantly oiled. In active use, unprotected mail darkens over time. However, this non-galvanized surface is the best option when you want your mail armor to look exactly as it looked on a Roman soldier back in the day.

• Rings made of high-quality spring steel
• The weave is four rings through the fifth style - 4 in 1 weave
• Inner diameter of the rings is approx. 8 mm
• Thickness of the steel of the rings is approx. 1.6 mm
• Leather border around the shoulder pads is made of vegetable-tanned high-quality leather
• The shoulder pads are fastened at the front with brass buttons and hooks
• The steel rings are not coated with zinc. This natural/historical finish allows rust to develop, but also gives the armor an authentic appearance
• Comes lightly oiled and we recommend keeping the armor oiled
• Available in three sizes: M, L and XL
• Manufacturer: Ulfberth

Measurements (measured when the mail is stretched to the maximum size):