Variations of chainmail armour used in the Sudan

[sabrigade]

During the time spent in the Sudan, I have managed to find three variations/varieties of armour that was used during the vaious campaigns.

This is the first variety, each link seems to have islamic script/designs on it.

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Closer view of the set

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Second and longer type, said by the previous owner to have been captured at the Battle of Sheikan in 1883 when Hicks Pasha and his 10000 followers were decimated.

This could have been worn by one of the 100 Heavy Egyptian cavalry soldiers who accompanied Hicks.

They wore known to have worn chainmail armour.

[sabrigade]

Closer view of the set.

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Third variation in my collection.

Unfortunately, not my field of expertise.

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Closer view.

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Final photograph, any comments and details would be greatly appreciated.

[Brian Wolfe]

Excellent post, I really like the chain mail suits.

Any idea of the era in which these were worn?

Whould they date to the late 1800s or before?

Regards

Brian

[sabrigade]

Hi Brian,

I am really not sure, I have found it very difficult to confirm both their age and origin.

Regards,

Will

[Guest IMHF]

Beautiful!!

Lorenzo

[ispn]

I came across this thread recently and while I realize it is a few years old, I thought it might benefit from the attached article on the making of maille at Omdurman.

"Nigerian Panoply" by Bivar also contains a detailed analysis of three shirts from the western Sahel, two of then from Bornu. One of those described has inscribed links as well.

making_of_maille_omdurman.pdf