White Buff Leather

[BigDeutscher]

All right ......I must be looking in the wrong places..but I must ask, how did the British make their Leather staps, belts, and so on, that chalky white color. That did not bleed onto their Red Coats?
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[BigDeutscher]

25 Views and no Answers
Ua!.... Oh!
Really guys this is not a test ..This is not a test
I want to do this Right .And save some money ,doing my own Leather work
Look foward to an Answer
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[No Powder]

Sorry I don't know. Never thought about :idunno:

 

[BillinOregon]

Deutscher: Google the British Militaria forum and you shall know all ...

 

[necchi]

I'm just guessing, but pigmented shellac would be on my list, or some derivitive of it.
Shellac was traded and used since about 1500 years ago, and titanium dioxide (TO2) is a natural white chalky color when mined, and found all over the planet.
Current commercial stuff has a high gloss to it so might not work well out of a can.

 

[Black Hand]

Titanium dioxide could not have been used as it wasn't discovered until 1821....

From:http://www.webexhibits.org/pigments/indiv/history/tiwhite.html

"Titanium White is truly the white of the 20th century. Although the titanium pigment, titanium dioxide was discovered in 1821, it was not until 1916 that modern technology had progressed to the point where it could be mass produced. First made commercially in Norway for industrial purposes, it was not until 1921 that a titanium white oil color suitable for artistic purposes was introduced by an American manufacturer."


See http://www.jarnaginco.com/leather definitions index.htm for additional information on Buff leather making (under "Other Tannages")...

 

[Troy Allen Christianson]

I have heard that they used white clay to brighten up their kit. I am sure it was very perishable just like a spit shine was on a pair of jump boots when I was in the Army. I imagine though after a long march or campaign their kit looked very shabby and the Sergant Major had his hands full bringing his troops back to "parade ready."

 

[Ken Cormier]

There are several refences about British soldiers being charged for pipe clay . can't think of them right now

 

[JOHN F]

big german , they would pipe clay them. in neumanns book there are several cartridge boxes that have had the straps painted with "white lead".check out roy najeckis site as well...

 

[akhawkeye]

You might look at this link. Interesting blog. Good references.

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