Briefcase Repair Question

[poetman]

I have a 1945 briefcase that needs some repair. The handle is unraveling, and my local shoemaker says all he could offer is a temporary glue fix. So I need to replace it. The handle looks a bit like this http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1lefdsqVI...ui3Bv7E/s400/F+Scott+Fitzgerald+briefcase.png where it's leather woven over itself (if that makes any sense?).

Secondly, the buckle does not remain fastened in the first position (at the bottom), but the same shoemakes said he's afraid to look at it because it's afixxed to the leather with metal prongs and he fears if he pulls the prong away from the inside lining they may just break off. The buckle looks a bit like the Custom Hide buckle http://www.customhide.com/1945_Army_Briefcase_Single.jpg.

Any thoughts I what I could do? Does anyone know where I can find a handle and buckle? Do you thhink the prongs that afix the buckle to the bag would break if they were bent back?

Any thoughts would be a great help!

Thanks!

 

[regius]

in new york city on lexington, there is a 50 years old shop called superior leather restorer, a jewish couple runs it (surprise surprise). bill clinton endorsed it, interestingly. they consider themselves as the one and only pro in this business because apparently they can do magics, a completely torn jacket can be put back together like nothing happened, god knows how. i just hope they don't use chemical glues that will eat the leather away in three weeks.

 

[regius]

in NYC on lex and 29th street there is an old shop, run by a jewish couple, called superior leather restorer, very proud, they consider themselves to be the one and only pro in this area. but who knows how they do it. hope they don't use chemicals, because apparently they can perform magic

 

[Woodfluter]

I love the briefcase! Please do restore it. It is worth the effort.

I wish I could be more help, but from my experience fixing leather items, I'm pretty secure in saying you need to find a better shoemaker. Now shoemakers today ain't what they used to be, so this is no slander on him specifically, but anyone competent in making things from leather or repairing them wouldn't say that all he could do is apply some glue. I'd be willing to bet he doesn't do Goodyear or Norwegian welts on shoes either.

When I was going to university in Newark, Delaware the local shoemaker could pretty much fix anything. You'd bring something in and he'd nod mutely, take it and tell you when to pick it up, and it would be like new. That was the norm, at least as late as the 1970s. Now everything is glued together and thrown out when damaged.

Don't fully understand the issue with the buckles, but IMO there really shouldn't be prongs involved. If there are, straps and possibly brass hardware should be replaced and sewn in place. If you feel up to it, you can get a rowel-type device that will mark the leather at uniform intervals, and a thin awl, and then sew things yourself with two harness needles and linen thread. I'd practice with something else first, but replacing straps is not a big deal - the main task is finding leather similar in color and texture, and then possibly staining it to match.

About the handle: not sure what you mean by "unraveling" but it may need re-sewing if sewn, or if the leather is damaged beyond repair it might need replacing. I can't make out details from the photo but know what that kind of briefcase generally has, so shouldn't be especially difficult to duplicate. (The second link won't open for me.)

If you can post some more detailed pictures, it might help.

- Bill

 

[Fifty150]

close up pictures would really help


it's hard to imagine what you are describing