What kind of a thread it was used in those days to make a holster? It looks like a rough thread to me. Is it still available to day, or is there a substitute for it?

Alf.

Klaus
Thank you. What does the AG or Act. Ges stand for? Bill

Bill, AG or Act. Ges. = Actien (Aktien today) Gesellschaft means joint-stock company or incorporated company (according my dictionary).
Best regards Klaus

Klaus
Thank you. Your knowledge is greatly appreciated. Regards Bill

To answer Alf's question; I believe waxed linen thread was usually used on lether holsters, harnesses, etc in that era.

Thank You very much alanint.:cheers:
Alf.

Alf, Doug is correct. Synthetics were not developed to any extent untill the later years of WW2. Most all holsters and other leather items made by any country prior to 1945 were made with linen thread.
Linen is a plant fiber made from the Flax plant. It is twisted from smaller strands much like hemp rope. It is typically seen in 2-3-4-5-7- strand. German Luger holsters are usually made with the 3 or 4 strand. Oddly enough the later the holster the thicker the thread. 1940-43 holsters usually have very thick thread.
Yes, linen thread is available today. I get mine out of Ireland.
There are substitutes for it but they are inferior to the real thing for a number of reasons.

Jerry Burney

Jerry, doing some search about what linen thread I found that it is sold with code say 35/3, while the second number is the no of threads the first is the thickness, what is the thickness number for the holster thread please? Thanks.

Alf.

Alf, I have never heard of this code...what is the thickness number ? Heck if I know. Where did you find this? Send me a link and I will take a look if you like.

Jerry Burney

I found it on ebay uk
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=290326088994
Thanks
Alf

Alf..How LinienThread Sizes are calculated.

No.1 yarn is 1 pound of flax spun to a length of 300 yards.
No.2 yarn is 1 pound of flax spun to a length of 600 yards.
And thus;
No.18 yarn is 1 pound of flax spun to a length of 5,400 yards. (300 x 18 = 5,400)

Taking for example a "18/3" thread.

The "3" refers to the number of yarns that have been plied together.
The "18" indicates that it takes 5,400 yards of such yarn to weigh a pound.

It can be seen why bigger numbers mean smaller thread -- the thinner the yarns, the more of them it takes to make a pound.

To conclude.
A 35/3 thread is made of three yarns, each made from 1 pound of flax spun out to 10,500 yards and then twisted together.



Are you trying to repair a holster?

By my calculations I would guess you would want a #18/3 or a #18/4 strand depending on what holster you are wanting to restore.

Hope this helps...

Jerry Burney

Thank you Jerry, great, it is the information I needed. I have this WWl holster with a loose belt loop and I wish to fix it, so I thought I do it at least with the right thread,;)
From your notes I think I should use #18/3 thread.
Thank you Jerry, thank you alanint.
Alf.

Jerry,

When you do your holster repair do you use an "Off White" color thread?

Wayne

Wayne, There are 5 different colors I use depending on the holster. There are 2-3-4-5-7 strand threads so I have to have at least 4 sizes in 5 colors to have the thread necessary for almost any holster repair.

PPK holsters take different size & color threads than Luger holsters for instance.

Jerry Burney

This is a great thread with a load of fine info. Thanks to all for sharing your knowledge.

Charlie

Jerry,

When I cleaned up my holsters I use "Picards" and then buff the leather very lightly.
Some people use something that will gloss up the leather and make it slippery/smooth.
Would you know what they use as the final coat?

Wayne

Wayne, When I cleaned up my holsters I use "Picards" ..I am sorry to hear that. picards is ghastly waxy sticky goo and I would never ruin my vintage leather with this petroleum product.
I have no idea what to use for a final coat...after a coating of picard's what more is there? Motor oil? Tar? roofing cement?

Can you tell I am not a picards fan? I have railed against this crap for years and I still hear of collectors who insist on using it. I give up.

Jerry Burney

Jerry,

I have also used "Connolly Hide Care".
What do you recommend someone use?

Wayne

Wayne
I think many of us have at one time used Pecards. That means many of us made a bad mistake. Use it on your winter boots. On your holster use Connolly's. If you insist on using Pecards look over your shoulder for a mad holsterrepairman. Bill

A small point: occasionally one encounters an imperial holster with orange thread. The orange is the result of the linen being treated with merthiolate to retard insect infestation.
Tom A.