The chainmail coif looks like a chainmail hood or headpiece, designed to protect the head, neck and shoulders against damage from bladed weapons. It was very effective at doing so - the Royal Armouries have conducted tests with well-made chainmail (mail) coifs and concluded that "it is almost impossible to penetrate using any conventional medieval weapon". The mail coif is constructed by hand from hundreds of chainmail rings and will fit all but the largest of heads. The rings are zinc plated to provide a shiny, maintenance free finish that is resistant to rust.