they are chromed steel on the four of five record caliper sets I have that had pad holders on them which range from early Nuovo to very late super record. As for source other than ebay... I know not. But I wish you good luck. In such a case I might be inclined to buy a set of calipers with pads and holders and re-sell one of the sets of calipers sans holders. I bet in the end it will be cheeper then buying holder separate but it is a hastle.