Repairing M1A1 leather cheekpads

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   I've been looking at what appears to be an early M1A1 that went thru rearsenal with an upgraded type 3 rear sight and barrel band clamp. From pictures it looks like a pretty good example with a heavy patina (haven't seen it in person yet), but the leather cheek pad is badly damaged (steel rivets, possibly original leather).

Is there good way to repair? Any source of USGI replacement leather and rivets? Or would you leave it as is as a historical piece?

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choprboy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Recruit Joined: Jun 13 2018 Location: Southwest Status: Offline Points: 48	Post Options Post Reply Quote choprboy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Repairing M1A1 leather cheekpads Posted: Apr 02 2022 at 2:54pm
	I've been looking at what appears to be an early M1A1 that went thru rearsenal with an upgraded type 3 rear sight and barrel band clamp. From pictures it looks like a pretty good example with a heavy patina (haven't seen it in person yet), but the leather cheek pad is badly damaged (steel rivets, possibly original leather). Is there good way to repair? Any source of USGI replacement leather and rivets? Or would you leave it as is as a historical piece?

W5USMC Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: Apr 29 2017 Location: Missouri Status: Offline Points: 2862	Post Options Post Reply Quote W5USMC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr 02 2022 at 4:12pm
	Just saw the rivets on ebay yesterday, think the seller was (gunsdora), also think that the seller from France (nenel3) has the leather but it is pricey, you could probably find a piece of leather that would work. Someone posted instructions on how to do the leather replacement on one of the forums a couple of years ago, can't remember which one. My opinion is if the current damaged leather is original, then I would probably leave it alone.
	Wayne USMC Retired NRA Life Member