The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello, I am trying to find the split-shank nails or pins that were used to attach the ID plate to the body of a Stewart phonograph, like a brad nail but split down the length of it. I am unable to find them online and I'd rather not have to actually split nails. Has anybody got a source for these?

My other dilemma is that I gave the Stewart a respray and refelt and it looks really nice, but the tag has been painted over at some previous point (not by me) on the edges, and I don't think it will come off without destroying the actual tag paint. How can I restore the tag?

As to your paint question, it depends on what kind of paint was used in the past, sloppy overpaint job. Sometimes nail polish remover will dissolve spray paints nicely without harming and original finish underneath. It needs a little experimentation.

Not sure that the split pins are made anymore. You may need to use an escutcheon pin and just bend it over on the inside.

The paint was brushed on. It had chunks it it, as well. It was almost exactly like the grip-paint that they paint ladder rungs with on a warship, in fact that may have even been what it was.

You can try going to a scrapbooking store and ask for the small decorative brads that they sell.
For example from Stampin Up
I think they used to carry some antique brass or pewter color ones, and in small quantities.

pins from a machine's data plate might work.

winsleydale wrote:The paint was brushed on. It had chunks it it, as well. It was almost exactly like the grip-paint that they paint ladder rungs with on a warship, in fact that may have even been what it was.

"Deck paint", or any paint with "anti-skid" grit mixed in.


I once looked at a 1952 Henry J automobile that had been painted-over with grit-paint.

(I moved-on.)

De Soto Frank wrote:

winsleydale wrote:The paint was brushed on. It had chunks it it, as well. It was almost exactly like the grip-paint that they paint ladder rungs with on a warship, in fact that may have even been what it was.

"Deck paint", or any paint with "anti-skid" grit mixed in.


I once looked at a 1952 Henry J automobile that had been painted-over with grit-paint.

(I moved-on.)

So would I have! Who does that to a car?

Anyway, it was no big deal taking it off the Stewart for a respray in nice burgundy, but I am still milling over that tag. I don't want to use chemicals; I will probably just start very gently scraping it off in thin layers until I'm don to the original paint.

I know exactly what you are talking about and I think they are still made, but called something else. They are not all that rare fasteners. Darned if I can remember what that something else is, though. If somebody does remember they should be easy to Google.

Clay