Mail armpits for armpit gap protection in buhurt

Mail armpits are designed to cover a common weak spot in armored kits: the armpit gap. In full-contact fighting, this area often gets caught by shots aimed at edges and overlaps. Mail adds protection without creating a hard stop that restricts the shoulder.

Used as a flexible insert between torso/shoulder elements and the arm, it supports shoulder mobility and improves coverage where plate geometry has to leave room for movement. This is especially relevant in clinch work, shield pressure, and active striking, where the arm constantly changes angle and the gap opens and closes.

For buhurt-style use, durability and serviceability matter. Mail components are convenient because they can be repaired in the field: localized damage can be fixed by restoring or replacing small sections and renewing attachment points.

Historical basis: separate mail elements were used to protect mobility zones (armpit, elbow bend, neck, etc.) and are known from historical sources and analogues from the late medieval period, when plate armor reduced the need for a full mail shirt but did not eliminate the need for flexible coverage at gaps.

Regarding technical checks: this piece is made as functional armor gap protection and is commonly compatible with tournament inspection requirements across multiple full-contact formats; final approval depends on the specific ruleset and how your kit is assembled (padding, attachment points, overlaps).