Keywords: Italian - Mail - Walters 51575 (2).jpg The mail from the Latin word for mesh worn by the Romans was made from interlocking iron rings but the development during the Middle Ages of the capacity to refine iron into steel-harder and more durable than iron-meant higher quality armor as well as weapons A typical shirt has about 30 000 rings each individually riveted and might weigh about 16 or 17 pounds A shirt of mail was worn over a padded garment to protect the skin and soften the effect of a blow It is more flexible than plate armor but is heavier for the wearer because all the weight is suspended from the shoulders Mail was gradually replaced by plate armor in the 14th century though it continued to be worn by some infantry soldiers and to fill gaps in a knight's armor century 15 Late Medieval steel cm 88 4 63 4 22 2 accession number 51 575 24747 Naples said to be found in an ancient wall Sale New York November 14 1921 no 265 Henry Walters city Baltimore Walters Art Museum Henry Walters Acquired by Henry Walters 1921 place of origin Italy <gallery> File Italian - Mail - Walters 51575 jpg </gallery> Walters Art Museum license Armour in the Walters Art Museum Hauberk historical Renaissance applied arts in the Walters Art Museum Italian art in the Walters Art Museum Media contributed by the Walters Art Museum needs artist update 15th-century armour Armour of Italy |