M16 Leather Chinstraps, with Steel Hardware

[C. Roelens]

What was the steel hardware on German M16 leather chinstraps finished with before they were issued? I've never thought about this until I was asked this question tonight. I checked all of my original chinstraps with steel hardware and I don't see any signs of them being painted. Were they coated with zinc? Anybody have any documentation on this?

Chuck

[epsomgreen]

They were parkerized.

Charles

[Hoss]

Chuck
They were zinced. Parko is heating to red temp and dipping in oil.
Epsom
Iam going to have nightmares now after looking at your picture!

Eric

[PlaceOfBayonets]

Were they? All mine look like they are un finished. I've seen a few with what looked like field gray on them but only in photos.

W.

[Hoss]

Were they? All mine look like they are un finished. I've seen a few with what looked like field gray on them but only in photos.

W.

W
Zinc is a low cost poor temporary finish. Doesnt last long. Probably a lot
had no finish at all because of demand.

Eric

[C. Roelens]

Chuck
They were zinced. Parko is heating to red temp and dipping in oil.
Epsom
Iam going to have nightmares now after looking at your picture!

Eric

That's what I was thinking. Thanks Eric.

Chuck

[C. Roelens]

Were they? All mine look like they are un finished. I've seen a few with what looked like field gray on them but only in photos.

W.

W.,

Rarely will you find an original chinstrap with minimal wear. All of my originals are worn also and you cannot determine if the steel parts were coated when they were newly issued. They're just worn and aged. I don't believe the Germans would use shiny new steel parts when the chinstraps were put together... seems logical they would coat these parts with something.

Chuck

[Hans K.]

Chuck, you've made me go through my books with this interesting question and I haven't been able to find anything specifically referring to steel chinstrap hardware. Others have mentioned zinc plating and I agree that this was likely the recommended method. Starting in 1915 it seems that zinc plated sheet steel or sheet iron was officially sanctioned to be used as a substitute for valuable metals like brass. Items such as belt buckles, helmet plates/fittings and hardware on ammo pouches breadbags etc. were all being made of zinc plated sheet steel (or iron). According to Kraus, starting in January 1915 for Prussia, belt buckles were first made of sheet iron and later sheet steel. These were zinc plated, treated with an anti-rust varnish and matted.

Three chinstraps in my collection have zinc plated steel hardware.

[Hans K.]

I want to add that all of the M18 chinstraps I've examined have had zinc plated steel hardware and rivets. It would be interesting to see if any examples that are rust-proofed with something other than zinc plating show up.

Hans

[C. Roelens]

Thank You for your time and response Hans, always top-notch.

Chuck