Leather Equipment repair (rivets) advice

[4thGordons]

On a whim I just purchased a lot of 6 leather "parts wallets" for the US M1917 Machine gun. They were very cheap. All are dirty and incomplete in some way - but all clearly stamped with maker and 1918 and I thought I could probably cannibalize one or two of them to create a couple of complete examples for significantly less than one complete one would have cost me (these are not rare items and show up all the time on eBay -in use I believe they were strapped to the tripod leg). I had not paid close enough attention because I now realize in addition to stitching (which I can manage) all the parts are also riveted so both disassembly and reassembly is going to be much more difficult (indeed I am not sure how or IF I can even hope to do it with any them.)

Does anyone have experience with such rivets/repairs (for example on Pattern 14 equipment) and thus might be able to offer advice?

Thanks in advance

Chris

[T8HANTS]

Were they put together with what are known as hose rivets? These are usually copper consisting of a flat headed solid rivet and a copper washer. The rivet is put through from one side of the pieces to be joined, and the washer then placed over it as it emerges through on the other. The washer is then set in place by pushing it down with a setting tool. Something with a hole long enough to accept the rivet stub. The stub of the rivet is then either formed into a nice dome with a rivet snap, or gently peened into a closing lump with a small hammer. This is very simple stuff, and any amateur leather worker should be able to do it. I have done it myself making repro leather gear.

However some American items use hollow tube rivets I believe, that is a little more specialised.

[4thGordons]

Thanks for the response.

From your description it sounds like the former: here is a picture perhaps you can tell me? They certainly seem to be copper in the middle with a brass washer.

Chris

[T8HANTS]

They are indeed hose rivets.

[shippingsteel]

You should be able to find those type of copper rivets at a hardware store Chris, however the correct size may be a problem. To replace them you need to grind back the mushroomed pin to allow the washer to come apart. Then replace with a new male pin piece, you may be able to reuse the original washer if you are really careful. Pin needs to be sized and cut for length and then rounded down with the ball pein hammer as Gareth has described.

Cheers, S>S

[Dave1418]

Hi,

the rivets on the 14 pattern leather equipment are 8 gauge copper hose rivets and can be purchased in the states from www.hansonrivet.com or sapphire rivets in the UK.

The original rivets were coated in tin which you will be able to get done at a local coating specialist, when using a rivet set and snap with the washer in place. To make the correct dome you require approximately the diameter of the rivet protruding before use the set and snap to form the dome. If you have any problems you can pm me.

regards

Dave

[4thGordons]

Thanks for that link -- I will follow up there.
Chris

[Dave1418]

You should be able to find those type of copper rivets at a hardware store Chris, however the correct size may be a problem. To replace them you need to grind back the mushroomed pin to allow the washer to come apart. Then replace with a new male pin piece, you may be able to reuse the original washer if you are really careful. Pin needs to be sized and cut for length and then rounded down with the ball pein hammer as Gareth has described.

Cheers, S>S

Hi Chris

further to post by Shippingsteel;

I usually file the rivets protruding end until it has a flat top, it is then centre punched and drilled out with the appropriate diameter drill bit. like he quotes it you are really lucky you can reuse the washer. Failing this if you don't want to reuse the washer then use a larger drill diameter it will drill out the rivets shaft and part of the washer which then easily pulls apart.

Dave