Our earliest ancestors were the first users of chainmail. Can you imagine a woman sitting in her cave with a fish needle and thread from the entrails of animals making her mate armour to protect himself? This is very likely the way the first type of chainmail developed. Fishbones, animal bones, and perhaps small rocks were sewn into a hauberk or shirt for the hunter’s protection in his exploration in seeking food and protecting himself and his family.
Very quickly sophisticated chainmail appeared when metals were produced in the earliest societies, such as Persia. It has often been debated whether the Celts or Persians were the first to sew bronze rings on animal skins. By the 12th century every knight worth his salt had a hauberk of chainmail. It became a very sophisticated form of protection. The Crusading armies wore chainmail and so did their enemy, the Saracens. There is a surviving hauberk which was constructed by the early Vikings.
Today chainmail is a very popular piece of armor for reenactors, costumers and gamers. Anyone who has ever explored the types of maille or chainmail available has noted that there are many different types and prices. There are several metal choices, such as aluminum, high tensilve and mild steel. It also comes either butted or rivetted with round rings, flat rings with construction of either dome rivetted or wedge rivetted.
Obviously the most important factor for many of us is the cost of the chainmail. The butted maille is the most economical and it is the perfect choice for a starter set, or a knock-out costume. It is available in aluminum, high tensile steel and mild steel construction. I have spoken with some reenactors who are involved with swordplay who state that a quality manufacturer, such as GDFB, makes a mild steel butted coif and hauberk that holds up very well.
Rivetted chainmail is the most desirable and historically accurate. The Dome Rivetted is the most affordable of this type of construction.
The ultimate and the most historically accurate set of chainmail is the Wedge Rivetted. It is most like the chainmail of the Crusades. It naturally is the most durable and will withstand the most stress by weapons.
Buy whatever you can afford and join the battle. It is a great hobby and it is great for esteem.