18th Century Leather Edge Beveling

[Wykoni]

On 12/9/2016 at 3:32 PM, grdwire said:

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

After countless hours of online research I can find nothing about 18th century (1720-1780) (French and Indian/Revolutionary wars) leather being beveled and burnished.
Was leather beveled and burnished back then, or was it just cut, sewn, and that was it; no bevel / burnishing of any kind? (Bags,straps,belts,knife sheaths)
Most leather items of that period made today, show an unbeveled, unfinished edge.

Have also inquired at Reverend's Big Blog of Leather but no help, as there time frame doesn't cover the middle to late 1700's, also Williamsburg, VA no reply

I don’t want to do a project for that time period with a beveled edge, and later to my embarrassment, find this was not an embellishment of the day. Any thoughts on this is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for time and help

Regards,

I know the master leather smith at colonial Williamsburg and will asked the question.  My thought is not, they really looked at quality as very clean cutting with remarkably good sewing.  Nothing decorative.  I will ask and get back.

[chuck123wapati]

A very interesting question! The different cultures also have to be taken into consideration, Life on the "frontier" was a myriad of peoples all with their own leather working processes, Indian, French, English, etc all had different techniques for working leather. As well stature played a part rich folks got imported leather goods poor folk made their own. I always use a character model when doing era related projects, was my guy a poor French trader, if so he may have some American Indian clothing as well as French, or an English aristocrat coming to find adventure who may have all new English made attire. As for finding the answer to burnishing I think you have to narrow down what cultures leather processes you intend to copy and look at museum pieces for your answers. BUT if the info is so hard to find then who will know if your wrong and burnishing is basically doing what time does to leather , wears the edges and makes it rounder and smoother.

[Frodo]

does this look beveled or just  burnished?

 

[fredk]

An old thread, recently added to and I'll add some more. Re-reading through my old books I found some information which may be relevant.

From about 1730 to about 1820 British Army soldiers and some other European soldiers wore a special leather collar called a 'stock'. It was made of very thick stiffened leather meant to make the soldier keep his chin upwards, and by doing this he kept his back straight and did not slouch. The edges of the leather were known to be sharp, they cut the soldier's flesh under his chin, they left weals where the cuts healed.

Period advice given to the patrols sent out to find deserters was to look under the chin of any suspect for these weals and if he could not produce his discharge papers he was a deserter

Hard or semi-hard leather can have a cut edge sharp enough to cut flesh. I have often enough got a 'paper' type cut from fresh cut leather. If the edges of the stock had been bevelled they would not have cut

Afaik, Armies in the US & Canada wore the stock from about 1730 to about 1815 and again some regiments wore them in the WBTS but it was not exactly the same then but a shorter collar 'stiffener'

[chuck123wapati]

https://archive.org/stream/cuirdorhangingsi00csel?ref=ol#page/24/mode/2up?ref=ol   .  Some cool stuff here although many books on leathercraft aren't shown its a great reference on the  books out there that were written. https://openlibrary.org/search?subject=leatherwork

Edited July 8, 2020 by chuck123wapati

[chuck123wapati]

https://b-ok.cc/book/5407613/192e68

main site =https://b-ok.cc/s/leather craft

Edited July 8, 2020 by chuck123wapati

[chuck123wapati]

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/58293            this is on 18th century williamsburg

this one has some interesting info on the laws in effect for leather work.http://www.gutenberg.org/files/48588/48588-h/48588-h.htm

Edited July 8, 2020 by chuck123wapati

[chuck123wapati]

https://archive.org/details/leatherwork00wils/page/n3/mode/2up

[mike02130]

If they had edge bevellers back then I would imagine some would've used them some would not.  Just like today.  

[Wykoni]

Talked with the master leather craftsman at colonial Williamsburg.  He has studied English  18th century leatherwork and he said during this period there is little evidence of beveling or burnishing.  In my studies of this time period I have found Spanish product to be more decorated.  Even when you go to American vs Mexican holsters you find the Mexican holsters to be more decorated then American during the 19th century.  Probably why at one point Mexican  leather Was more sought after.  American in both century found more beauty in delicate stitching and fine leather finishing.    You see this if you visit either Washington’s or Jefferson’s homes in Virginia.