Roman cavalry, drawing heavily on Gallic and Celtic mail-making traditions absorbed during the conquest of Gaul, favoured mail for its combination of flexibility and genuine cut resistance, qualities well suited to mounted combat where a rigid cuirass could restrict movement. This reproduction recreates that Gallic-pattern cavalry mail shirt, battle-ready for genuine re-enactment combat.
Roman Cavalry Gallic Mail Shirt
The Romans used mail shirts with and without shoulder-doublet protection, and this Gallic-pattern shirt recreates the style associated with Roman cavalry equipment. Mail is particularly good as protection against slashing or blunt-weapon attacks, valued by mounted troops who needed flexibility as much as coverage. Battle-ready construction suits full-contact re-enactment combat for a Roman cavalry impression.
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