Did my mag pouch shrink?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimF4M1s

Harlan,

I never said to wash it in a machine. I have never done that. I said as for washing it. Because I know my stuff got wet in Viet Nam. We just laid it out in the sun when the rain stopped.

I was just being a wise guy saying Now if you had put it in a dryer, that might have been a bit much.

Because most of my web gear is in very nice shape, I hadn't thought of Bill's dry cleaning idea. That now might make me buy something I would have passed on before. Thanks Bill. :thup:

My point was that it was not collectible and he would not lose much if it didn't work out.

Jim

I knew what you meant Jim. ;)

'Collectible' or not, I was trying to make the point of not throwing any WWII period type of any web gear in a washing machine and hoping to have it 'look better' after a well meaning blunder - It won't look better by any means, and might very well destroy it completely at the age this web gear is now. The old threading has deteriorated from age, even though they're holding together nicely now. I just couldn't imagine throwing a piece of History in a washing machine and putting it through tough washing cycles. (Cycles meant to remove stains)

It's not just utility web gear at this point in history. Even non-collectible vintage WWII gear is hard to find these days and should be preserved for future generations.

Just wanted to make the point to NEVER throw any of it in a washing machine hoping for a happy result. Even it the item makes it through, most markings will be gone, and the fabric won't hold the old dyes now and most ink markings such as 'US' stamps will be gone or severely faded. Even if it survived a washing machine, the original canvas fabric will a have 'fuzzy' texture and look nothing like it did before.

I have some very good items too, and I wouldn't even take a chance of dry cleaning them, though I trust Bill.
(I know Bill wouldn't even dry clean them these days, unless the gear was in very bad shape)

It's difficult to find any WWII web gear that's authentic and not worn out. I've been really irked so much seeing good quality web gear someone tried to make 'look better' and destroyed it forever by throwing it in a washing machine.

Bill's idea of dry cleaning is good. I find very little gear anymore, except some soiled items with poor markings left. (The times have changed for sure Jim)
I might try picking up some of these items and see if dry cleaning restores them in any way. Bad thing is that even these old items that I wouldn't have even considered several years ago are selling for a lot, and don't look to be collector quality to me.

I learned the lesson the hard way. Circa 1975-77 I purchased several hundred used M1 Rifle web slings, which were quite dirty. I removed the removable metal parts and put them in my washer. When they were done the dirt was gone, but they were all very frayed. The webbing had hanging lines and was rough to look at.

In those days a used sling would sell for 50 cents to a dollar. These were so well frayed, I had to sell them 5/1.00. As far as appearance, they were ruined.

Shortly thereafter I stopped using the washer and relied on dry cleaning.

I have an original Type I pouch that was new when I got it. I have some Type IIs that are WW2 dated. The Khaki one is like new, but the other are in varying stages of "Used". One was washed prior to my getting it. Ink ran, colors uneven, and shrunk, too. I soaked it in hot water, put two mags in baggies in it to stretch it out, and let it dry. Still ugly, but works now.