Color of Thread:Cartridge& Cap boxs

[hardtack61]

pards,

Does anyone know what color of thread you would use to sew a cartridge and cap box? Any info would help!!
Thanks

[RyanBWeddle]

Re: Color of Thread:Cartridge& Cap boxs

Federal accoutrements were sewn with a pitched/waxed cording.

I seriously caution anyone taking on the extremely difficult undertaking of producing a cap pouch / cartridge box...

You must thoroughly examine and research originals, and become adept with leather working. Many period examples show high levels of craftsmanship...

Many reproductions by "authentic" vendors don't even come close to matching the quality level seen in originals, there are alot of factors which go into the process.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Color of Thread:Cartridge& Cap boxs

Hallo Kameraden!

Ordnance Department records show black waxed, and beeswaxed (sometimes from the same arsenal).

Indeed, "boxes" can be very, very difficult to make correctly/properly- if not beyond the skill and means of many/most....

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt

[tmattimore]

Re: Color of Thread:Cartridge& Cap boxs

Production methods were under going a change prior to and during the WBTS. With the availability of comercial thread sewers had a choice of making up their own threads or using factory made. For heavy work a thread was made from what is now called #10 flax each strand making a cord. Most sewers would make as many threads as needed for a days work generaly the length of their out streched arms. Each cord would be rolled over the leg and waxed as they were assembled and when enough cords for the task were put together the thread was waxed again. As the thread is used and pulled thru the awled holes it tends to polish or burnish the tread. A mixture of wax and pitch and rosin is used to put on the needles at the tapered ends of the thread. Using pitch on the thread body makes it extremly difficult to pull thru the holes and causes breakage. Many old timers into the 70's eschewed the use of colored thread as to easy to break but old timers have always claimed that new is bad. For more detailed descriptions see " the Harness Makers Illustrated Guide" written I belive in 1876. From personal experience inseaming shoes pitch is a no no.