Sterling Silver Dresser Set
Comb Repair and Replacement
Sterling Silver fitter for combs come in all different sizes
There is a huge variety in the design of sterling silver comb fitters. They also comb in different sizes. The tortoiseshell plastic combs for replacement come in all different sizes in 1/8" to 1 /4" increments, but each one needs to be fitted to the sterling silver fitter. This takes time and great care. After the tortoiseshell plastic combs is filed, shaped, and sanded to fit exactly right, both the sterling silver and plastic comb are polished. For the final step, the sterling comb is riveted into place.
Sterling Silver fitter with comb replaced
The tortoiseshell plastic comb keeps the thin sterling silver fitter straight and prevents the seam from splitting. In other words, the structure of the plastic comb is important to the long term survival of the sterling silver comb fitter. If the plastic comb is broken, protect the sterling silver fitter from being bent.
Sterling Silver fitter with an incorrectly fitted comb
Comb fitters set with the wrong size or shape comb are prone to damage. Notice how vulnerable the ends of the comb fitter are in the photo above (left). Every replacement comb I set is carved to fit the sterling silver comb fitter.
Very rare gold comb fitter with new comb
In over 40 years I have only seen one gold comb fitter. The plastic tortoiseshell comb was replaced.
Sterling silver dresser combs
Dresser sets came in a wide variety of styles. The sterling silver fitters are all different. The plastic comb replacements must be filed to fit each sterling silver fitter, then the comb is riveted into place.
Notice the engraving on the sterling silver comb fitter
The engraved initials on the sterling silver fitter dictates the layout of the plastic comb. In the above photo, the top comb is right handed, and the middle comb is left handed. The bottom comb has engraving along the spine (not visible in this photo.)
The monogram is always an indication of top
The monogram always indicates the placement of the comb teeth.
sterling silver combs come in a wide variety
Look for the sterling mark on your comb. Usually the marking for sterling silver and the style number is on the back. In the photo above the style number is on the front right corner.
Sterling silver fitter for comb with repair seam
Occasionally, the seam on the sterling silver comb fitter will split. It is better to have this repaired before it gets any worse. It is much easier to repair before it has completely come apart. After the seam was repaired, I riveted in a new comb.
Shreve sterling comb fitter with hammered finish
This Shreve sterling silver comb fitter used the largest replacement comb available. When the comb was returned to the customer, she said, “I just received the comb and all I can say is wow wow wow! It looks absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for saving a very precious family heirloom! We are very impressed with your work. You are a true artist.”
Rare One-of-a-kind comb with Sleeve
One-of-a-Kind Art Deco Egyptian Motif Pocket Comb with Sleeve
This sterling silver and 10K gold pocket comb and sleeve arrived with splitting fragile seams. The plastic tortoiseshell comb was broken. The Egyptian motif accents were pierced with a jeweler’s saw, all done by hand, indicating this set as a one-of-a-kind comb and sleeve. In a stroke of great karma, I was able to find a 3 1/4” replacement plastic comb that came all the way from Switzerland. The old comb was originally glued in, which is not the most secure option. Rivet holes were drilled into the fitter to set the new comb in place.
The sterling silver comb fitter was extremely thin, and badly damaged along the top seam. Look at the dents and green corrosion in the photo on the left. Adding a patch was the only way to repair this comb for use in the future. A sheet of sterling silver was cut and shaped to fit on top of the comb fitter. The seam on the sterling silver comb sleeve was also splitting, and was repaired in a similar way.
Sterling Silver Men's Combs
Sterling silver fitter for Men's combs
Sterling silver fitters for men's combs usually have a slimmer less decorative style.
Man's comb with extensive repair
Engraved initials, like on this sterling silver comb fitter, are another type of comb fitter style. These photos (below) show oversized rivet holes and damage to the edge from a previous repair that was poorly done. I rebuilt the edge and filled in the oversized rivet holes with sterling silver tubing so the rivet holes were much smaller. After this repair was cleaned up, a new plastic tortoiseshell comb was fit properly and new small holes were drilled to rivet the comb in place (above photo).
