Tandy (?) kits in Ulster Prisons, circa 1970s

[fredk]

I've been doing a lot of simple lacing and my thoughts turned to some other laced items.

In the early to last quarter of the 1970s there were many terrorist prisoners in Ulster's (Northern Ireland) two main prisons

The prisoners made leather goods, mainly laced together. The wives, girlfriends and mothers came round the houses selling these items for the benefit of the prisoners.

Of course it was not compulsory to buy anything but one had to be careful so one did buy. I can't remember how many wallets I ended up buying, one each time the WGMs came around. The items were not expensive; about £1 for a wallet and £2.50 for a handbag (one of my sisters bought several) (wages were about £25 per week)

Even then I knew the items were made from kits. Now I've become familiar with the Tandy kits and have been wondering

The items made were; wallets, billfolds, handbags, purses, knife sheaths. holsters ( yes, really) coasters and other things. Some were plain and some were decorated, with the 'Sheridan'(?) type designs or stamped. But all the items were laced together thru round holes 

I now have some old Tandy catalogue issues and I see the same things in them

Considering that the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and the prison service bought their weapons and body armour from the USA did Tandy supply the leather kits, or did they come from a company in Great Britain?

Just wondering 

Discuss

PS; Until recently I would not lace anything I was making because some people still remember the prisoners work and assumed I had been a terrorist prisoner!

Edited Friday at 01:17 AM by fredk