Correct Braces

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

I know this topic comes up again and again, but I am trying to make a set of period braces. I have a source for the buckle and plan to have the two independant straps. My question is whether or not to include the leather end pieces which attach onto the buttons or just to use cloth. I was reading something earlier today, although not well documented, and it mentioned that only about 15% of braces would NOT include the leather attachments. I know several respected and approved vendors of this site, sell only the braces with leather end pieces....Ideas...Sources...

If I choose to use the leather for the end pieces is there a reputed source or thickness for these?

Paul B. Boulden Jr.

RAH VA MIL '04

[Yellowhammer]

Paul,

"I was reading something earlier today, although not well documented, and it mentioned that only about 15% of braces would NOT include the leather attachments."

I don't see how anyone could make that statement with any degree of accuracy. Considering the tiny fraction of the total universe we have available for study, hard and fast assertions like that are unsupportable.

I have seen several pairs of original suspenders and one pair did have cloth attachments. I believe there are more extant suspenders with leather tabs but this is likely a result of those being harder wearing and therefore having a higher rate of survival.

Bottom line: choose a documented pair that you can copy well and make those. There was a ton of variation in this area.

[markj]

Greetings,

You'll like this scan from the April 1864 "Godey's Ladies Book."

Regards,

Mark Jaeger