Pickelhaube liner replacement

[Tenente]

Hello all. I recently purchased a beautiful M15. Unfortunately I put some Leather therapy in the liner and it split in a couple of areas. Is there a way to repair this? Or is there anyone that could replace the liner? Or should I just leave it with the splits and be done with it?

 

[Sandmann]

I would ask Brian „b.loree“, he is very experienced in restorations.

 

[Tenente]

I would ask Brian „b.loree“, he is very experienced in restorations.

Thanks Sandy.

 

[b.loree]

Welcome Tenente. My advice would be to leave things as they are and save yourself the expense. What has happened is unfortunate, most of us don’t apply anything to liners as they can be very delicate. To replace a liner, both visors have to be taken off. The remnants of the original liner are removed and every stitch hole has to be cleaned out. Next a new liner has to be cut out of vegetable tanned sheep skin and dyed on both sides. Finally, that liner has to be hand stitched back in as well as both visors. Obviously, a great deal of work is involved which translates to hundreds of dollars in cost. I would not spend the money on this M15, just learn from your mistake.

 

[Tenente]

Welcome Tenente. My advice would be to leave things as they are and save yourself the expense. What has happened is unfortunate, most of us don’t apply anything to liners as they can be very delicate. To replace a liner, both visors have to be taken off. The remnants of the original liner are removed and every stitch hole has to be cleaned out. Next a new liner has to be cut out of vegetable tanned sheep skin and dyed on both sides. Finally, that liner has to be hand stitched back in as well as both visors. Obviously, a great deal of work is involved which translates to hundreds of dollars in cost. I would not spend the money on this M15, just learn from your mistake.

Thanks Brian. I had a couple of liners installed in some older Pickelhaubes , so I'm familiar with the Process. That being said, Is there any way to re-enforce the damaged sections of like, I.E. attach thin leather to the back of them in thin strips? Or would that make the Helm Worthless? It sucks because I've used this product on all my old leather, this is the first time it's ever failed me.

 

[b.loree]

May I ask what product you used T ? A couple of photos of your liner would also help so we can see what you are dealing with. You could try gluing paper thin leather over the tears using “leather glue” which is basically contact cement. Some are also using a very thin, but tough type of Japanese paper to cover splits/tears in liners and chin straps.

 

[Tenente]

May I ask what product you used T ? A couple of photos of your liner would also help so we can see what you are dealing with. You could try gluing paper thin leather over the tears using “leather glue” which is basically contact cement. Some are also using a very thin, but tough type of Japanese paper to cover splits/tears in liners and chin straps.

I use a product called "Leather Therapy". It's very low in acidic qualities. Much better than "Neets foot Oil". Cool. Thank you for this input, I was thinking about this type of fix. I'll have to post pics of the helm in the next few days. I ordered some paper thin calves leather on line, so, I'm going to do this. Basically "A stitch in time will save nine" train of thought.

 

[Tenente]

Now for my next question. Does anyone here make Officer grade liners. I have an officers one that has No liner in it.

 

[pickelhauben]

There is a Polish parts maker who makes repo silk.
Not sure of the scalloped leather.
If you monitor France's eBay one will come up almost every month.

 

[b.loree]

I have bought a couple of repro silks from the Polish dealer Thomas and installed them. They are good quality and the best available. The silk is not exactly the same as the originals, more of a “watered silk” but they look good. About a year ago, I asked Amy to try and locate cloth like the original ribbed silk but she was unable to do so despite living in Asia.

 

[Tenente]

There is a Polish parts maker who makes repo silk.
Not sure of the scalloped leather.
If you monitor France's eBay one will come up almost every month.

I've seen those, He puts out a great product. I'll keep an eye out on Ebay France.

 

[Tenente]

I have bought a couple of repro silks from the Polish dealer Thomas and installed them. They are good quality and the best available. The silk is not exactly the same as the originals, more of a “watered silk” but they look good. About a year ago, I asked Amy to try and locate cloth like the original ribbed silk but she was unable to do so despite living in Asia.

Ah ok. Yeah that'll be really tough to get. Unfortunately.

 

[Gustaf]

I use a product called "Leather Therapy". It's very low in acidic qualities. Much better than "Neets foot Oil".

The best thing to do with any of the leather conditioning products sold is to leave them in the cupboard, if you are tempted to use them then it would be better to put them in the garbage. These products are intended to be used on leather that is in service, not for preserving leather. The problem with old leather is the fibers have weakened in time, often due to poor storage and any attempt to rejuvenate the leather will cause the fibers to break down very quickly. I have seen too many leather artifacts that survived for over 100 years that have disintegrated in a few years due to the application of these products. We all have made similar mistakes with artifacts but it is a lesson that is not soon forgotten.

 

[Gustaf]

In my opinion an original liner in any condition is better than no liner, and no liner is better than a reproduction.

 

[b.loree]

The mention of neatsfoot oil also brought back nightmares. Never use that on any antique leather!

 

[Tenente]

The mention of neatsfoot oil also brought back nightmares. Never use that on any antique leather!

I did that once. Back in 1993 on an old P-38 Holster. It ate the 'slightly' worn leather. I found out it's highly acidic. I never used it again. That was when I went to "Leather Therapy". I've been using it for over 20 years. It's never failed me until now. I've used it on 60- 100 year old leather. Sadly, this liner was very dried out, and it split in two places.