These are also called bracers, but I think vambrace sounds better.  They were my very first chainmail project ever, initially completed in October of 2003.  They started as just a sheet of galvy with leather shoelaces laced through washers, but a few months later I added the bronze inlay and attached them to the leather padding (from here).  For my first project, I think they turned out well enough.  If I were to do this again, however, I would certainly do it a bit differently: for one thing, in denser ring sizes, and for another, stitched down rather than laced.

16 ga 7/16" ID
Galvanized Steel
16 ga 3/8" ID
Bronze
Also, several heavy-duty washers to secure the vambraces to the lacing.
In the European 4:1 weave.