Chainmaille Gauntlets

The key to making a good pair of chainmaille gauntlets without the need to worry about complicated seams and cumbersome fittings, is finding a quality pair of leather gloves. It is important that the gloves fit your hands as snugly as possible while still leaving your fingers full articulated. I can easily pick up a dime with my gauntlets on. I would recommend a pair of non-work gloves with some sort of thinsulate liner. This way your can wear them in the winter, yet they will not be to thick or hot for summer wear.

Unlike a hauberk or coif which stay relatively static when being worn, a pair of gauntlets must be able to go through a large range of motion without having the maille buckle. To achieve this, I recommend splitting the back of the hand (the side which is most likely to be struck by an enemy) into eight sections (two for each finger, thumb excluded). If a major split is placed at the third knuckle of each finger, the largest freedom of motion will be achieved (see diagram).

The choice of link size and wire gauge will have a great effect on the overall maneuverability of the gauntlet. I would recommend a small (3/16") link in either 18 awg (for decorative purposes) or 16 awg (for protective purposes).

At the edges of each of the eight pieces (10 if you want to armour the thumb as well) you will need to stitch the links directly to the leather of the glove. It is vitally important that the glove is in its most extended position (i.e. in a fist). Every two to four links along the edge of the piece should be firmly stitched into the glove. If you feel confident in your sewing skills, it is easiest to stitch if the glove is filled (preferably with someone else's hand).

Because of the vast differences that can in the size and shape of different hands, it would be useless for me to give (and folly for anybody to follow) actual dimensions for a gauntlet. Once I have scanning access, I will try to put a picture of a gauntlet on this page.

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