Temples are the ''arms'' on eyeglasses. They're also called sides, bows,
ear pieces, and sometimes even legs. There are two basic styles. The most modern
style is called a ''skull
temple'' and that's the kind with the paddles at the
ends like most all glasses made today. They're called skull, paddle, or even
hockey ends. Many old frames have what are called ''cable
temples'', which are
the kind that wrap around behind the ear. Cable temples are also called wrap
temples, curl sides and I keep hearing the term riding bows. In both kinds of
temples, there are several different hinge styles, blade sizes and, of course,
lengths, usually from 5 1/2 inches (130 mm) up to a very long 7 inches (175 mm). All temples
are measured as though they were straightened out. For more details about
measuring temples, please see How to Measure for Vintage Eyeglasses. Note
that all temple installations typically will require fine-tuning and adjustment.
If you require a different hinge style than you see shown,
other lengths or have any other temple questions, please do inquire.
For an idea of some other hinge
styles, click here.
Heavy duty temple blades are about 1 mm thick, just over 1/32
inch. Though they sound like they would be extremely thick, they're not.
They're called ''heavy duty'' because they were an innovation and replaced what
was called a ''regular'' blade temple. (If you don't
have a metric ruler, you can also measure with a short stack of copy-paper or
sticky-pad notes. A heavy duty temple is about 10 sheets and a regular
blade is between 5 and 7 sheets.)
These
are gold heavy duty blade temples. They call them 165, but they're actually longer by about 7 mm, so about 173 (6 3/4''). (I have this same model in shorter lengths, too. Feel free to inquire.)
They're new temples, not vintage, but they're made by a reputable old maker, Art Craft.
These will fit most heavy-duty bladed vintage frames from the later 1930s onward.
These
are heavy duty blade temples, 6 5/16 inches (161 mm) in a goldtone
finish.
They're new temples, not vintage, but they fit most old heavy-duty bladed frames.
The quality on these has gotten much better in the last year or so.
Note for covers: The finial at the temple tip requires the use of
the 3 mm
heat shrink covers available here. (There are creative alternatives, but the 3 mm
approach is the ready-made solution.)
These
are heavy duty blade temples, 6 5/16 inches (161 mm) in a silvertone
finish.
They're new temples, not vintage, but they fit many old frames.
The shade is a pretty good match for white gold
frames and the quality of these has improved considerably in the last
year or so.
Note
for covers: The finial at the temple tip requires the use of
the 3 mm
heat shrink covers available here. (There are creative alternatives, but the 3 mm
approach is the ready-made solution.)
The choices shown below
all have what's called a ''regular'' blade thickness (about 0.7 mm or 7 sheets
of stacked note paper). Regular blade thickness temples were
generally used on frames before WWII. After WWII, heavy duty thickness bladed
temples
become the most common model.
This is a 6 inch regular blade silvertone pair. The filigree is a nice, simple repeating triple
diagonal. Unused
vintage stock, mint condition.
The temples shown below are ''skull''
temples, also called paddle temples, arms, legs or sides with hockey ends.
They all have a ''heavy duty'' temple blade thickness which fits most heavy-duty bladed
vintage U.S. frames dating from around and after the 1940s. They ship
straight, that is, the tips (the paddle section) will not have the bend in
them. This allows you or your optician to fit them specifically to your head
and your glasses. I can bend them for you if you'll let me know where you
would like the bend using the menus provided below. Please note that once
bent, they're no longer eligible for refund.
click for the BIG picture
These are silver-tone skull temples with a 1 mm hinge blade that fits
most heavy-duty bladed vintage frames made from the 1940s onward. As shown, they're 5
3/4'' (145 mm) long and can be trimmed down to any length.
These are goldtone skull temples with a 1 mm hinge blade that fits
most heavy-duty bladed vintage frames made from the 1940s onward. As shown, they're 5
3/4'' (145 mm) long and can be trimmed down to any length.
These are silver skull temples with clear tips.
(Both colors are shown in the photo, but ordered below, you would get a
pair of silver ones.)
They have a 1 mm hinge blade thickness. They fit most heavy-duty bladed
vintage wire frames made from the 1940s onward. As shown, they're 5
3/4'' (145 mm) long and can be trimmed down to any length.
These are gold skull temples with clear tips.
(Both colors are shown in the photo, but ordered below, you would get a
gold pair.)
They have a 1 mm hinge blade thickness. They fit most heavy-duty bladed
vintage wire frames made from the 1940s onward. As shown, they're 5
3/4'' (145 mm) long and can be trimmed down to any length.
This is what's called a cable-conversion end, a contemporary way of making a skull temple into a cable or
''wrap-around'' temple. Cut the skull temple to a selected length and push the conversion end on.
They're plastic, as opposed to cable, but
they get the job done. The wire diameter on the temples should be
approximately 1.25 to 1.75 millimeters for these ends.
Cable ends shown on a frame for reference
click for the BIG picture
I keep them in black (as shown on the frames above) and brown.
Item Number
Item
Name, Color
Price
Quantity (pairs)
Add
to cart
7757
Cable
Conversion Ends, Black
$9
7758
Cable
Conversion Ends, Brown
$9
Note:
These are not cable temple covers. Cable temple covers can be
found here. My detailed instructions
for installation will be emailed with your shipment confirmation.
If you have any questions about temples
or anything else, please don't hesitate to contact
me.
