Now, the fabric isn't frayed...the edge has a nice round cut to it. So I think the sharp metal of the vent is cleaving nicely through the 60-year-old fabric. (It's almost like the fabric slipped out, but I still see some stamped in between the face and backing of the vent.)
I'm assuming there is little to nothing that can be done to stop this, other than handling it GENTLY...yeah, right. It was for a buddy, he's got it in Japan now, we'll see if he's still got the vents when he gets back. I told him not to put pens or marbles in the main pocket until we see if they're gonna hold...
Keep in mind, he isn't an Indy-phile, so the bottom of the bag does not need to be screen accurate. He's amped up about the MKVI (not MKVII) to begin with!
So, assuming they will come out at some point - two questions:
1) Anybody found any vents like these, to perhaps use as replacements?
> Both layers of the bottom are still in strong condition outside the round cut. A slightly larger vent could probably be clamped into the now slightly larger hole.
2) Anybody know the best/wisest patching method if vents (probably) aren't available?
>The same fabric would be ideal, and the idea of scavenging part of the divider is the best route in that regard, but I'm thinking this would require four squares of at least a square inch each, so that would be the entire divider, and he kind of likes the divider. (Holds the water bottle upright.) The nearest other fabric I've got is the old web strap off my MKVII...it would make NICE squares of near-enough shade for patching. I figure a square on the inside stitched through a square on the outside, completely covering the round holes inside and out ought to do it, right? No more fraying, no lost dimes in between the layers...
Any and all advice welcome. (Silliness, too.)
Thanks,
J
P.S. I just went through the exhaustive set of pics I took of this bag to show you what I mean, and guess what? I never took a picture of the bottom. Grrr...
As long as there is two of anything, I'll do it. 
