Belts and buckles

[Marc mndt]

My interest in buckles was triggered by a recent Field Leathers / Leathertogs repro project. At that time Greg did offer any nice buckles to go with his jackets so I had to find one myself.

Finding a nice vintage buckle isn't easy for some reason. I had to a buy bunch before I finally found one that was perfect for the project: a 40s North and Judd (you can recognize them by their anchor stamp). Originally it was a slider buckle but Leathertogs jacket belts had eyelets so I added a prong.

When the project was finished I had a bunch of buckles left so I thought why not buy a couple of belts to go with the buckles. A brand new rabbit hole was discovered lol.

 

[Marc mndt]

Here's an example of a 40s western belt link. I found the same buckle but in brass, the belt is a hand tooled top grain steerhide Montgomery Ward, probably 50s. Maybe I should add some studs and rhinestones as well.

 

[Marc mndt]

Engraved 950 silver buckle, probably Japanese. 60s Hand tooled Brent belt.

 

[Marc mndt]

Original western belts are hard to find in wearable condition and if you do find one it's usually crazy expensive.

These are repro's by RRL, the one on the right is made in USA, the other three are made in Italy. The two on the left started out black but they're slowly fading into brown.

 

[Marc mndt]

Next up are Navajo buckles.

The first one is a small 2" x 1.5" 925 sterling W.D. signed buckle with small turquoise stone.

 

[Marc mndt]

Sandcast sterling buckle with big turquoise stone, made by Navajo artisan Nellie Tso. Probably 70s or 80s. Hand tooled unbranded belt.

 

[Marc mndt]

Sand cast sterling Navajo buckle, no maker's hallmark. Probably 40s or 50s.
I bought the Hereford full grain cowhide hand tooled belt NOS, it still has the price tag. $2.50 in 1961.

 

[Mich486]

Did you check out Ace Western Belts? Seems to be the go to for the 50s style western belts. I’m sure some member will chime in with those.

East west in the UK stocks a few but they can be mto on Etsy as well. RRL are cool but always a bit of pre distressing, nothing wrong with it obviously.

Also if you haven’t already check out Ethan Newton of Bryceland’s for some cool pictures and ways to style these belts.

 

[Marc mndt]

Did you check out Ace Western Belts? Seems to be the go to for the 50s style western belts. I’m sure some member will chime in with those.

I've heard that they use a vintage machine to do the studding. Haven't handled one of their belts myself but if I remember correctly @58panheadfan owns a couple.

 

[Marvin Berry]

These are cool, I guess I never realized they existed.

Can you post a pic of the inside of a belt with studs/jewels? (Trying to see how they're attached.)

Is there a source for the jewels and studs if I wanted to try my hand at making my own?

 

[Marc mndt]

Can you post a pic of the inside of a belt with studs/jewels? (Trying to see how they're attached.)

 

[Marvin Berry]

Thanks!

 

[handymike]

Nice belts Marc! A few years back I fell into a hole searching for antique silver Ranger buckle sets…

 

[Will Zach]

Thanks for the directions to another rabbit hole Marc!

I am already in one making my own simple belts:

but the vintage ones are obviously in another zip code...

 

[Marvin Berry]

Thanks for the directions to another rabbit hole Marc!

I am already in one making my own simple belts:

View attachment 594329

but the vintage ones are obviously in another zip code...

I love those buckles! I've been obsessively searching belts exactly style (I even have one of those brass keepers in my cart on one of the sites), looks like I should start focusing on making my own. Do you know if those octagon brass buckles come with double prongs?

Eta: nevermind, I just noticed your brown double prong belt.

 

[Will Zach]

This guy has a nice selection, also some vintage repros:

Smoky Sumi's Store / Buckles

We are selling Men's accessories and crafts hardware.All our brass hardware are made in Japanese skilled craftsman.Then a quality set up and finish by "Smoky Sumi's Store"Our experience of the work & trade to the foreign countries is 11 years.We are glad that we can ship them anywhere in the world.

www.smoky-sumis-store.biz

 

[LeeR]

My buckle which is a Boyd Reno,NV. The beautiful hand tooled belt is from Lone Tree leather works in Montana. They do great hand tooled classic western belts. I'm just a satisfied customer.

 

[Marc mndt]

My buckle which is a Boyd Reno,NV. The beautiful hand tooled belt is from Lone Tree leather works in Montana. They do great hand tooled classic western belts. I'm just a satisfied customer. View attachment 594918 View attachment 594919

Wow, that 3D floral pattern is next level.

 

[navetsea]

Thanks for the directions to another rabbit hole Marc!

I am already in one making my own simple belts:

View attachment 594329

but the vintage ones are obviously in another zip code...

how do you guys keep your belts relatively straight, my belts even 4mm leather are bowing tremendously, especially ones worn with higher waisted jeans / raw jeans

 

[TLW '90]

I recently made this belt and Buckle to go with a holster I made.

The belt isn't tooled or anything, because that's not a look I was after or a skill I currently have.
I could certainly do it, but not well.