[Arran]

Mike;
  I seem to remember seeing some suitcase/trunk hardware, that was held on by rivets, where a washer was used under the split pin side, that may be a way of getting they back on tight even if the wood was chewed up by removing them. With regard to the handle seller, it should be stated that the handles are vinyl/synthetic material in the auction if they are not leather, the price is largely irrelevant as you could probably get 100 or more handles out of the average cow hide, and they are largely made by machine anyhow. If all else fails Tandy leather is another possibility.
Regards
Arran