ringweave.pdf

Ring weave

A metallographical analysis of ring mail material at the Oldsaksamlingen

in Oslo

By Vegard Vike

Universitetet i Oslo

Det Historisk-filosofisk fakultet-IAKK

Avdeling for konserveringsstudier

Semesteroppgave

Mai 2000

Abstract

This essay is a metallografic analysis of mail rings. It was written as part of

the studies at the new conservation school in Oslo, Norway. Rings from three

mail finds stored at Oldsaksamlingen in Oslo was studied. One of these was

from the well known Viking grave from Gjermundbu, Buskerud. The rings

were studied both longitudinally and in cross section. Especially the

distribution of slag lines and distortions in the structures were noted. The

conclusion was that the riveted rings was from premade wire and had been

riveted using a tool with a negative impression of the rivetheads final shape,

instead of directly with a hammer. Rings without any apparent joint was found

to be punched from sheet metall. Some steps toward dating mail on the ring

level is suggested.

Forsidebilde: Brynjemaker 1425 (Treue 1965)

Illustrations/pictures

All sketches and analyse pictures were made by the author. Where

illustrations were taken from other sources that will be stated in the captions.

Tables

Measure data for each of the three analysed finds are depicted in the

surveys of the single finds

C 27317

s.18

C 455

s.25

C 2616

s.29

Preface

My motivation to take on the ring weave-material sprung from my keen

interest in processes connected to iron working. I work with traditional

forging techniques myself and in addition to that I perform re-enactment

fighting with weapons and armour from both the Iron Age and the

Scandinavian Middle Ages.

Ring weave seemed to be a somewhat overlooked and deficiently

researched find category to which few metallographical analyses had been

performed. Based on the fact that mail garments have been an important part

of armours for more than 1500 years I felt that it deserved a closer

examination. Everything points towards that it takes a lot of effort to make

ring weave and thus it is interesting to understand the production process, so

that future research can place it in a fitting social context. During my work

with this paper I have found out that a small number of surveys centred on

ring weave have been undertaken in Denmark, Germany, England and the

USA, though not all of them very convincing. In Norway the study of ring

weaves is non-apparent despite the important Viking Age find from

Gjermundbu consisting of an abundance of ring weave and a unique helmet.

The samples analysed in this study stems from three finds kept at the

Oldsaksamlingen in Oslo (C27317, C455, C2616).

The paper was written during the final semester at the School of

Conservation in Oslo, spring 2000. The time remaining, accessible for this

work, beside the lectures and practises in find conservation as a whole, has

been strictly limited.

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank: Kristin Sigurdardottir and Jerry McDonnel

for the introduction to metallographical analysis during the studies in

conservation. Heid Resi at the Oldsaksamlingen in Oslo who made me aware

of important literature. Arne Jouttijärvi’s work with Danish hauberks that

gave me a better understanding of important features in the production of

punched mail rings. Karin Knoph, Stock keeper at the Oldsaksamlingen who

was very helpful and obliging at studies and photo sessions at the museum’s

storage. I also which to thank Henriette Lyngstrøm and Arne Emil Christensen

for kind answers to questions asked in connection to this paper. And finally

my fullest gratitude to my fiancé Lise who managed to endure with me -

despite all late night analyses of mine.

Vegard Vike

Innholdsfortegnelse

Page

Introduksj on

Brynjefunns tilstand

Bruken av brynje

Bronseringer

Analysen av funnene

C 273171 - Gjermundbu, Buskerud (85 fragmenter)

Undersøkelser

Metallografien

Vekt

Målinger

C 455

- Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag

(skjorte)

Naglede ringer

Hele ringer

Vekt

Målinger

C 2616

- Mølledalen, Buskerud (fragment fra hose)

Vekt

Målinger

Daterbarhet og teknologisk vurdering av brynje

Vurdering av brynje

Naglede ringer

Stansing

Arbeidskrevende fremstilling

Forming av brynjeplagg

Kronologisk vurdering av brynjeplagg

Konklusjon

Ordliste

Litteraturliste

Bevaring og tilstand

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