Side Curtain fasteners

eatonaxle

Junior Member
I have made tentative steps at pricing the original type side curtain fasteners. I have attached pics of originals and some repros. I am pricing just the actual curtain fastener not the body socket at the moment.
Now some questions;
Would you folks prefer chromed brass, or stainless steel?
Would you prefer bend over tags to hold the ring at the rear, or riveted, as I think most original fasteners were?
I realise there are other people looking at the same idea as myself and are probaly a long way further down the track than me, but there is no harm in trying. You never know, I might just beat them to the punch.
Looking forward to your comments and valued input.
 

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I like stainless also. When I ordered the door pads for my roadster LBB wouldn't fill the order because they couldn't get the fasteners so if you can produce soimething like the originals that work properly in stainless that would be great.
 
I think that if all of the efforts would go into remaking them, make them identical to the originals. If the rivited rears are what Model As used, go with them. Good luck on your venture and let us know when you've got them.
 
I need some for my 28 Phaeton and go along with Timothy and Gary and would want exactly what was original. If it's nickel plated brass, that's great and if it gets worn in my lifetime, that's also great. I love the look of patina!

And her sister's pretty darn cute also!:D
 
I to, would buy some "original" duplicates of the fasteners for my 29 phaaeton and 28 roadster. I would hope the price was reasonable, however. I know they would be a little pricey, but not totally unreasonable. I have no idea how much the nonrecurring cost to make them would be, but probably not cheap. Are the fasteners the same for 28/29 as for 30/31 A's?
Rusty Nelson
 
I think that if all of the efforts would go into remaking them, make them identical to the originals. If the rivited rears are what Model As used, go with them. Good luck on your venture and let us know when you've got them.

I echo Gary's sentiments. Make them as original and you never need to apologize or defend your actions. A&L and others have already proven that making authentic reproductions is lucrative and there is always a market.

.
 
I might be able to help somebody out.
I have twenty (20) sets of the NOS pictured fasteners. I know that these are not recent reproductions, as I have had them for forty years.
I don't know what they are worth, so what would you trade me for them ?
MIKE :)
 

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Interesting Mike. I see the fasteners you have, have the tags to hold the rear ring in place on the back of the curtain. Do you think they are actually originals or very early repros? Looking from your side of the fence, I can't see anybody making repros way back then, some 40 years ago, when there would have been supplies around.
Any other suggestions?
 
eatonaxle ....................
I think that mine just came from an upholstery shop, that made side curtains for cars, boats, etc. I did not find these in a Ford garage. I think that they were just standard pieces, for the time.
Did you know that the Eaton Axle and Spring Company made the Ruckstel Four Speed Rear End for the Model "T" Ford ?
MIKE :)
 
Although both types are original Cinch fasteners, Ford used only the rivet or grommet set type. All Model A fasteners were nickel plated until sometime in late 1930 when Ford added chrome plated versions for use on the Deluxe Roadster and Deluxe Phaeton.
 
Original or not Stainless is best. They will last forever and when you make up a kit please include 2 extra snaps incase we mess up...
 
Duplicate as original in plating (nickel and chrome) and fastening method (rivet or grommet set type)
 
I might be able to help somebody out.
I have twenty (20) sets of the NOS pictured fasteners. I know that these are not recent reproductions, as I have had them for forty years.
I don't know what they are worth, so what would you trade me for them ?
MIKE :)

Hi Mike,

Do you still have these? I could use a few...

Thanks Lou
 
SOUTH PAW .................
Sorry, no. I sure wish that I had a tub full left, but they went quickly !
MIKE :)
 
If you make copies same as original, then everyone can use them up to and including fine point. But if you make stainless, original is out of luck.... your money, your choice. I vote for originals!
 
I've worked with stainless hardware of various types for some time and I've found that it is much more difficult to bend in swaging and riveting operations. If you don't use special tooling you can destroy your project when changing to harder materials. I like soft brass for thess items since it swages and rivets easily. A little nickle plate on the brass doesn't hurt a thing.

Just my opinion
Kerby
 
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