Ok, let's take a look at the "before" pictures of the chin scales on this lovely old mistreated piece of History. It is a survivor but certainly bears the wounds of a hard life over the century!
One of the scales, is mostly complete but the "male side", is missing numerous scales including the all important end piece which links the 2 halves together. This picture, shows the scales plus replacements which were given to me by Randy T, last SOS.
Typically, the end fitting and the next 2-3 smaller scales are the ones missing in any chin strap rebuild. However, it can go much further up the scale depending on what the helmet has experienced. I will be renewing the pictures in my old post "Anatomy of a Chin Scale" shortly....rebuilding one is not an easy process, at least not for me. My restoration mentor, the late George Birringer was a master at it and I am trying to follow in his footsteps.
Here, we see the condition of the reverse side of the female scale (both scales actually). The leather backing is disintegrating to dust due to red rot. There is evidence here, that at least 2 collectors tried to fix the scales in the past...one tried coarse white cotton thread and glued new leather to the backing and then another collector, employed fine wire to try and reinforce the scales. There is at least one handmade 3 prong scale replacement which can be seen on the upper male scale (#5 from the end fitting). We modern day collectors have to realise, that these guys had no access to a world wide web of fellow hauben collectors who might provide parts for restoration.
Here, I am in the midst of of removing each scale starting with the largest one where the kokarden and bosses go through. Things are so rotten than all the backing disintegrates and breaks up. A dirty job!
The card board seen in the picture is my template for cutting out the backing leather for the chin scales.
Each scale has been removed and numbered. All staples are preserved, because they are specially designed for this application. Sometimes, they break due to rust and then you have to use a modern one but if at all possible you keep the originals.
The last photo in this series...eh?.. is a tribute to the Great White North and it's excellent beer industry! Everytime, I go to the SOS and we have our apres show gatherings, my American friends tend to order/bring "light" beers"....ugh!!! Then some do order bourbon ??? So my friends, where do these cardboard strips come from and how are they being used in this chin scale rebuild?? To be continued...eh?
The shell is rippled and frankly, I have no clue as to whether I can fix this. I believe this piece was made to be light weight on the head so the thin leather has ended up in this condition after 100+ years.
