PRESS RELEASE: Silversmith makes chainmail coif from nearly 7,000 handmade silver rings

Over three years and about 500 hours, Leonard Edwards has made a hallmarked sterling silver chainmail hood entirely by hand, from wire he drew himself from scrap silver.

Silversmith Leonard Edwards has completed a remarkable piece of contemporary silverwork: a sterling silver chainmail coif, the hood of mail worn by medieval soldiers to protect the head and neck.

Made between 2023 and 2026, the coif contains about 6,885 rings, each formed and soldered by hand. It weighs just over a kilogram (1,008g) and took around 500 hours to complete.

Leonard made every stage of the piece himself. He melted down old, broken silver, milled it and drew it through a draw plate to make 1.10mm wire. He then formed the wire into rings of about 7.31mm, soldered each one closed and linked them together. Historically, mail rings were usually riveted shut; soldering every ring makes the silver mesh strong and secure.

The finished coif has been hallmarked and is intended as a work of contemporary silver art, inspired by the long tradition of chainmail and armour. Leonard is now looking for the right gallery, exhibition or collector for the piece.

Find out more: contact Leonard Edwards at goldsilver2011@live.co.uk