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Post by soldataltengarde on Jul 29, 2013 19:13:43 GMT -8
I just received two zelts (pronounced sehlt....) from Schipper in the field gray. The color is slightly gray, close to tan, kind of like the pickelhaub covers. Material seems sturdy enough, but... as usual with repro zelts (especially WW2 ones), the larger 3/4" inch grommets have too small of an edge, are kinda soft/malleable, and not pressed in tight... that is a guarantee to rip out factor... (the smaller 1/2" inch grommets seem ok) I want to replace the larger grommets before I use the tents in the field (before the holes get damaged from the "rip" factor).
Does anyone have a source for brass 3/4" inch grommets? I am going to check with my local auto upholstery guy, I tried Tandy Leather, they have only the 1/2 inch size..
I can't find a source online without ordering 10,000 units and a $300 setting tool! LOL
Danke Sehr
Im dienst fur Kaiser und Vaterland
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Post by kingkaiser on Aug 2, 2013 14:37:47 GMT -8
I've encountered the same situation. Not only have some grommets been loose, but some have been bent and slightly out of round. I never thought about trying to fix them. Short of trying to find the right grommets, trying to learn how to fix them correctly, and hopefully not botching the whole project, I thought of two other options: - Maybe a tent and awning shop, or a shoe repair shop, might be able to fix the existing grommets or replace them?----do these kind of shops still exist?
- Reinforce the grommets by sewing them in place. Thread could be wrapped around each grommet, either at a few points or around the entire grommet. This would hopefully keep them from pulling out with use.
The grommets, as they are, should be fine if the zelt is only going to be used as a poncho, or used for display on a tornister or assault pack. They may need some tweaking if the zelt is going to be rigorously used as a tent. Along a similar subject, does anyone have good photos illustrating how each section of rope was supposed to be looped through the grommets? The photos I have don't show the entire length of these ropes. I'd like to know the correct type, length, and diameter of each section of rope, as well as how they were tied or knotted off at the ends. I do know that some of the ends were whipped with thread in order to keep them from fraying. Also, was the zelt rope, i.e., tent guy line, threaded through the midline loops at the "waist" when configuring the poncho, or was there a specific rope for this purpose? Thanks for any input! |
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Post by soldataltengarde on Aug 3, 2013 10:56:47 GMT -8
I am still looking for replacement grommets... as far as the ropes go, I have some WW2 Swiss zelts that are identical... the longest cord is about 26 inches long, the cordage slips through the sewn loops to form the neck string I believe.
If I don't find acceptable grommets, I will only use the smaller surrounding grommets with loops of cordage to stake down the tent. Sad, for the price, you would think you would get what you pay for. I may carefully remove the large grommets (not too hard actually, they slip right out with a little hand/finger pressure, and for $40 have my local upholsterer sew in small squares of heavy duty canvas, then put smaller/but stronger grommets in.
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Post by kingkaiser on Aug 3, 2013 13:40:25 GMT -8
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Post by kingkaiser on Aug 4, 2013 12:48:43 GMT -8
... the longest cord is about 26 inches long, the cordage slips through the sewn loops to form the neck string I believe. Although most of the originals no longer have them, the neck cords were sewn in place at their midpoint. Schuster, in Russia, makes a nice looking Zeltbahn with the neck cord correctly sewn. All of the ropes are also included. They only come in ocher. The price seems reasonable. The link is below: www.schuster.ru/eng/germaniya-1914-18-gg/snaryazhenie/palatka-soldatskaya-pokhodnaya-160kh170-sm/Although the Zeltbahn shown in most of the photos doesn't have buttons, the store owner informed me that they do come with all of the buttons sewn in place (as shown in photos 4 and 5). I don't know if he will continue selling them, because he's been out of stock for almost a year. Apparently, he's trying to get resupplied with the correct canvas. |
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Post by soldataltengarde on Aug 5, 2013 19:53:45 GMT -8
I went to hand pull the grommets on the zelt...couldn't do it. they are sufficient in place.. maybe I was just surprised by the soft feel of the brass and they seemed loose.. So, I will leave them in place for now... and use the tent for a while... then we shall see.
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