Leather Straps & Handles for Battalion Spares Box

[redroth]

Does anyone on the forum know of an individual or company that makes a good reproduction of the straps and handles fitted to the wooden Vickers Battalion Spares Boxes. I am located in the USA but am happy to deal Internationally. Won't mind finding leather pieces for the WWI or WWII ammo boxes either.

[michielvr]

I have had the same problem with my boxes.
And i havent found anyone that makes these.

I ended up cutting away the dried up and cracked leather and replacing it with P39 leather equipment straps.
It's not the best solution, but it's better then no straps.

[michielvr]

Here are my boxes.

Front to back:
Mk2 1917
Mk2 1915
Mk3 1944



As you can see on the front box i fixed the straps with some P39 leather equipment straps. This has the same color and texture as the original leather.

For the front box i only managed to save the handles. The straps that run around the box are new. And the little trailangles are stifners to stop any cracks forming due to the thin leather.

The second box only has some small reinforcing patches.

And the Mk3 box only has the small original front mounted strap.

I think its best to go with what you have and try and fix it up.

[redroth]

I have two boxes and neither is in great condition. On one I can do what you have done and either patch the straps or replace the straps with P39 leather. The other box has no handles but has all interior pieces so I can make new interior pieces for the other box. Eventually I would like to find a better box and trade or sell these. You did a nice job refinishing them all. Did you make a stencil for painting the nomenclature on the top of the box? Thank you for taking the time to respond, I am going to still see if I can find someone to make a new set for me.

[michielvr]

I made the stencil myself.

I just made them the right size in a word file. And a local printing company converted them into a sticker stencil for me.

Just stick it on, paint over it, varnish it and your done ;D

If you want i can send you the wordfile containing the text.

[Richard Fisher]

I'm not aware of anyone that makes reproductions. I will have a look to see if it is something I can do easily as I've sewn a few together often enough!

With the ammunition box leather, there is no 'making' needed as it is all cutting and folding. Basically need a three-inch wide piece of leather to the right length and fold it on itself twice and then rivet it to the box.

Richard

[redroth]

Any help on the battalion box straps/handles is appreciated. I understand the ammo box handles are much simpler. Any ideal who sells the correct rivets?

[captmax]

Mar 17, 2013 20:37:51 GMT 1 michielvr said:

Here are my boxes.

Front to back:
Mk2 1917
Mk2 1915
Mk3 1944



As you can see on the front box i fixed the straps with some P39 leather equipment straps. This has the same color and texture as the original leather.

For the front box i only managed to save the handles. The straps that run around the box are new. And the little trailangles are stifners to stop any cracks forming due to the thin leather.

The second box only has some small reinforcing patches.

And the Mk3 box only has the small original front mounted strap.

I think its best to go with what you have and try and fix it up.

Beautiful boxes, thank-you for posting the picture!
CaptMax

[reme245]

I think Richard and myself could both think of someone who could probably make them but he has let a lot of people down recently and I am still waiting for my property back after two years.

[redroth]

I would prefer NOT to deal with unreliable (but talented) people. Have a few of them here in the US and I am dealing with one of them right now. I have done business with a number of gentleman on this forum and they have been honest, prompt, and a pleasure to deal with.