Ray76 Posted 18 December , 2019 Share Posted 18 December , 2019 I have been given a small section of a Vickers machine gun ammunition belt that was brought back from France after WW1. It is in very poor condition and the cloth is starting to fray and disintegrate with age. Can any members provide any advice on what can be done to stop any further disintegration? I wonder if there is any type of preserving liquid that it could be soaked with that would stabilise it but also leave it flexible? It is only a small section of belt that is large enough to carry about 5 rounds and my idea is to stabilise it, insert some inert rounds and mount it for display purposes one of our MGC/OCA events. In its present delicate condition I am afraid that it would just fall apart in my hands if I were to try and insert any rounds. Hope someone out there has an idea, I've already tried a Google search but nothing of any use has come back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chasemuseum Posted 19 December , 2019 Share Posted 19 December , 2019 If the cotton fibre is compromised there is very little you can do. Inserting rounds will be likely to tear the fibres apart. Even if you successfully get them in, depending on how it is supported on display, the weight of the rounds will cause relatively rapid deterioration. May I suggest, get a small section of WW2 belt with brass tabs that looks very similar. Place the drill rounds in that and frame both together with suitable explanatory information. There are a variety of ways of "restoring" compromised fabric, but these are really not suitable to this application. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray76 Posted 19 December , 2019 Author Share Posted 19 December , 2019 Many thanks for your thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Fisher Posted 23 December , 2019 Share Posted 23 December , 2019 Ray, I'd agree with not putting anything in the belt. They're frail enough in good condition after 100 years, let alone in anything less than that. Perhaps frame it between two pieces of glass where it's compressed and held? Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray76 Posted 24 December , 2019 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2019 Thanks Richard, I'll take your advice and that of Chasemuseum on this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Finneran Posted 11 January , 2020 Share Posted 11 January , 2020 WWI ammo belts are not that difficult to find if you require a full or partial example. If you only want a 'display section' then the advice for a WWII piece is good. ON the topic of the MGCOCA is it still active? Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray76 Posted 14 January , 2020 Author Share Posted 14 January , 2020 Mark Finneran - Sorry for the delay in responding to you. I've been away sunning myself for a few days and couldn't respond with my mobile phone. Yes, the MGCOCA is still active and I am the Grantham Area Representative. Here is a link to the website: http://www.machineguncorps.co.uk Or there is also a Facebook group: Machine Gun Corps Old Comrades' Association (MGC/OCA) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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