Leather on Suspenders/Braces

[FlaYankee]

Hello;
I checked the search function first and couldn't find anything about this problem.

The problem is, after a long period of time the leather on my braces; ie the tabs that attach to my trowsers, have been starting to dry rot from the sweat (salt), and disconnect. Now I have replaced the leather tabs myself, However,is there anyway of treating the leather so this won't happen.
I have a new pair of braces now, so there is no worry, but I would like to know ahead of time if this happens again..
Just to be curious, does anybody have any period research or documentation on the life expectance of a pair of suspenders in the field.
I can say, that a high quality elastic pair I owned lasted about 2 years before I replaced the leather tabs.:cry_smile
Thanks in advance for your help.
Kindest Regards;

[reddcorp]

Re: Leather on Suspenders/Braces

Applying Picards, or some other non-petroleum based leather treatment product, works, at least for me. You can mask off the cloth part to keep the treatment off of it, or be really, really careful.

Andy Redd

[FlaYankee]

Re: Leather on Suspenders/Braces

Andy;
Since you've used this method, about how long have your braces lasted?
Thanks for the advice.
Kindest Regards;

[reddcorp]

Re: Leather on Suspenders/Braces

I'm using a pair that I made over three years ago and they are holding up pretty well..and they've gotten pretty wet at times from sweat, rain, etc.

Andy Redd

[suspenderless pard]

Re: Leather on Suspenders/Braces

The continuous wetting and drying of the tabs or any leather, for that matter, will make them crack and split eventually. You can treat the leather with some mink oil or something to keep them soft. Set the suspenders out in the sun so the leather heats up which makes the poores open up. Then apply the oil and it will soak in better.
How long they last is all based on how thick the leather is, quality of leather, etc... A little tender loving care and some mink oil will make all your leather items last longer.

Sean Cooper

[Fenianboy]

Re: Leather on Suspenders/Braces

Another old saddlers remedy is glycerine soap.available at Saddle shops and good shoe repairs it will lend extra life to leather exposed to use and abuse. Bud Scully 13th NJ and 69thNY:)

[Jim Mayo]

Re: Leather on Suspenders/Braces

I have found that bone buttons are kinder to brace leather than the tin paper backed buttons. Any thing that oxidizes (rust) and contacts the leather will affect the leather under the button. Even painted buttons will stain the leather and start to degrade it.

As a side note, I believe this is why the CS tin backed buttons sometimes used copper for button shanks. The tinplated or iron wire shanks rusted and ate through the button thread. Of course that was good for relic hunters.

[MO-Pard]

Re: Leather on Suspenders/Braces

Rather than treat tabs with mink oil and other protectants, why not just let them age?

The soldier wouldn't have had these things available and the tabs were probably the last thing he worried about or ever looked at, (until they broke.) Having leather tabs grow hard, then brittle or outright breaking was a way of life.

Instead, plan ahead. From scrap leather cut out a couple rough tabs, cut a slit/hole in them for the button to pass through, and punch out a couple holes with a nail. Keep them in your housewife with the needle and thread and make your field repairs as needed. No different than replacing a button.

Best Regards

[marine05]

Re: Leather on Suspenders/Braces

As far as how long they were supposed to last, I am not sure, but in a book entitled "Civil War Marine" the diary entry for pay and reimbursement, after being at sea for 1 cruise, had him buying 2 sets of braces. This was after about on year, his initial issue was 2 sets.

I would presume that their problems were much the same as ours, except they wore them daily so breakage may have been more common.

S/F

DJM

[FlaYankee]

Re: Leather on Suspenders/Braces

Fellas;
Thanks to all for your replys and suggestions so far. Considering my options, it does seem it was just a more common thing when the ends did finally break.
The thickness and quality of leather is another thing too. A pair I purchased, had the leather tabs break quickly. Fortunatly I was able to obtain new braces, and set the other pair in my knapsack for future repair.
Kindest Regards;

[vamick]

Re: Leather on Suspenders/Braces

one quick fix Ive done is when ( and depending exactly where) those leather straps break is to just go up stream from the break slit another hole and ajust the 'cockeyedness' acordingly...also I wear mine a lil loose that way if I get in a bind bending ect they dont break loose as fast..I'll just betcha this was an area of countless 'rigs':)

[Bob 125th NYSVI]

Re: Leather on Suspenders/Braces

Saddle soap will work just fine keeping the leather soft, supple and clean I use it on all my (horse) harness. And much of that has seen rough usage for at leat the last 20 years.

However since I know almost nothing about making soap I don't know if today's saddle soap (available in any decent feed or tack shop) is formualted even remotely like what was available in the CW

It is however an "elbow grease" heavy product, work it in and work it in good.

[Edwin Carl Erwin]

Re: Leather Braces tabs

Add a precut/prepunched leather tab, linen thread, & a harness needle to your housewife. Field replacement/repair of braces tabs is easy by planning ahead. Spend your leather care time & resources on those brogans instead.