Expert: Barbara K. Acchino - 5/26/2007

Question
I have a Simons industrial thimble with USA SBC in the apex. I was told it was from a US soldier's sewing kit issued during WWII. Is there any truth to this? It looks like it is of better quality than what the government would would put in a GI's sewing kit.

Answer
Hello Jack.  Although the Simons industrial thimbles, made of nickel and oreide, were produced from 1919 to 1952, I've never heard that they were made specifically for military sewing kits.  It doesn't mean that a soldier didn't substitute a Simons industrial thimble for a cheaper model in his kit, but I'm not aware of any military sewing kits that originally contained a Simons thimble.  Since the thimbles were make for so many years, there are many in circulation.  Barbara