Solid brass tacks

[hobowonkanobe]

as in head and shank.
do these actually exist or is there a way to do Tacked knife sheaths w their steel shanked counterparts?
All I have found from Etsy to TotW and Crazy Crow is plated or solid brass heads but all w steel shanks.
On an earlier post I had asked about techniques for doing this and someone mentioned getting brass shanked tacks... no luck and now desperate as the ones I got having steel shanks wont peen over for old Hobb.

 

[rusty]

Londonderry brasses.com they are located in Pennsylvania they have the tracks you are looking for but they are not cheap.I was born and raised in Windsor Ontario small world.d

 

I found a bunch. https://www.google.com/search?q=solid+brass+tacks

 

[crockett]

Are you committed to the brass tacks? A lot of the solid brass have round shanks.
There was a reference I've lost about the cut off sprues (lead) on running ball being used for rivet. MAYBE. The harness rivets are another option. https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/copper-rivets-burrs

Actually, not to pry, but if you could describe exactly what you are making, time period, etc. maybe some folks can think of various options.

 

[hobowonkanobe]

Late Fur Trade era, "studded" seam of knife sheath for starters, we'll see after that

 

[hobowonkanobe]

Also, I'm well aware of the copper and or brass spur washer rivets, was actually toying w the same idea of just peening them down as such.
But, silly as it may be, I came across another option. On amazon of all places. If it works, I'll be sure to spread the word for other with similar projects.

 

[cositrike]

Yes they actually exist, if you want to pay big money for original ones. Not seen anyone making new, all brass tacks.
Simon

 

[crockett]

There used to be a place -I think it was called The Trunk Shoppe, or "The Olde Trunk Shop" I bought square shanked tacks from them but they may now be out of business.

 

[hobowonkanobe]

which is sadly too often the case

 

[LRB]

The Trunk Shoppe got those square shanked brass tacks out of England. I had a web address for the English supplier, but it no longer comes up. Chuck Burrows said that those were originally the proper type tacks for 19th c. They had gotten to be very expensive, like maybe $.50, to $.75 each. Could be they have been priced out of existence.

 

[Rifleman1776]

There used to be a place -I think it was called The Trunk Shoppe, or "The Olde Trunk Shop" I bought square shanked tacks from them but they may now be out of business.

Several suppliers for woodworkers offer them. There are a couple specialty houses for furniture restorers that offer all kinds of repro stuff from back in the day.
But, for the purpose stated, I would just use short cuts of copper (electric) wire. Drill or punch pilot holes, insert and peen. Will look good.

 

[LRB]

Tell us where these specialty houses are. I cannot find any that offer this type of tack.

 

[cositrike]

As said before Wick, you can get them on eBay, but pretty expensive
Regards
Simon

 

[LRB]

Actually, only kinda sorta. Those on Ebay are real salvaged antiques, and usually in limited supply, sold in set quantities, with many in rough condition.

 

[crockett]

In addition to the square shank the other issue is the contour of the dome. I think (not sure) that those sold by the Trunk Shoppe had the correct contour.
I guess I am not a fan of peen hammering the ends of the shanks because they can come loose on occasion BUT...if all you can get are round shanks- then I suppose the peen hammering on a round or square shank looks the same, so on a round shank- rather than crimp it in place- the peen hammered end would be a more pc finish.
And....I'm not sure any original sheaths remain, or if there are any, the amount is so small that it is hard to draw any conclusions on the pc aspect. The paintings of frontiersmen will show the outside of the sheath but not the back where a crimped or peen hammered finish would exist. To me at least- there are a lot of gray areas.

 

[cositrike]

Wick I agree, but I don't know anywhere else. Can't find any in England any more, so I guess if I wanted some, eBay would be it. I've checked with friends who are antiques restorers and no luck, so I'm guessing you won't be able to get new made.
Simon

 

[crockett]

Getting back to other methods, on the lead. I used a twig to poke holes in sand and poured in lead.
This produced a 1/8" diameter pin about 5/8" long. These will have a frosted exterior but once you hammer the ends it is gone. These "rivets" were put through holes in the leather and peen hammered on both ends. They came out pretty well although you have a dimpled surface. From the painting of the day- it is pretty hard to tell what is depicted. The Inventory lists had brass tacks and harness rivets and the lead- that could have been done. One book had a "mountain man" sheath with these lead rivets BUT it was dated 1850 AND I have run into a lot of troubles on these dates. Pry and ask and suddenly you may find that 1850 date is just a guess- no documentation at all.
There is also sinew and rawhide lace(babiche) I am pretty sure either is pc but as with all this the devil is in the details.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Tell us where these specialty houses are. I cannot find any that offer this type of tack.

Considering illness has kept me out of my shop for a year, I have forgotten a lot of little things. Did find a catalog that might help. Van Dyke's Restorers. www.vandykes.com

 

[LRB]

I know what you mean about those little things. I was out for a year too. It is amazing how you have to stop and think about something you used to do by instinct. Then comes a lot of these.

 

[Black Hand]

In addition to the square shank the other issue is the contour of the dome. I think (not sure) that those sold by the Trunk Shoppe had the correct contour.
I guess I am not a fan of peen hammering the ends of the shanks because they can come loose on occasion BUT...if all you can get are round shanks- then I suppose the peen hammering on a round or square shank looks the same, so on a round shank- rather than crimp it in place- the peen hammered end would be a more pc finish.
And....I'm not sure any original sheaths remain, or if there are any, the amount is so small that it is hard to draw any conclusions on the pc aspect. The paintings of frontiersmen will show the outside of the sheath but not the back where a crimped or peen hammered finish would exist. To me at least- there are a lot of gray areas.

http://indiani.cz/articles/index.php?a=period-trade-goods/brass-tacks-on-19th-century-plains-indians-artifacts
"The brass tacks were driven into the wood with wooden mallet so as not to damage the tack. Indians used the tacks for harness leather decorating too, for example belt or knife sheaths. In such cases a hole was perforated with an awl, smaller than a shank. A tack was then pushed into the hole. Overhanging part of the shank was then clipped off with pair of nippers, or filed off with a file. The shank stub had to be secured flat and smooth to prevent an injury.

Most of pre-Reservation period plains indians originals decorated with brass tacks show only brass square cross section spots on the underside
Brass tacks decoration of Plateau cradle carrying belt. British Museum London. The same belt underside. Brass shanks are clearly visible. British museum London.

Most of conteporary hobbyists and replica makers use brass tacks with steel round shanks, which are easily obtainable. After application into the leather they turn the nail up side down and drive the point back into the leather. It is practical solution, but not historically correct.

Brass tacks with steel shanks (nails) of rounded cross-section were introduced up to the end of 19th century. I have not seen any on pre-reservation artifacts at all."