A salvage attempt.....

[Dalton Masterson]

Here is the belt I had a few months back that cracked on me after I dyed it and did not oil it. I needed to order spots, and the belt sat around for almost a month before I got back to it. First time I flexed it, pop, it cracked.

So, here it is now, after a little bit of elbow grease.

I dont like the way the holsters antiqued, and I wont be trying that technique again on them I am afraid....Shame to waste perfectly new holsters tho...

Suprisingly the belt is very strong, and the cracks are only on the surface of the belt. I showed my customer and had him test fit it. He liked it, but I still need to make him another one. If only this one fit me......
I will end up antiquing it more sometime, with wear marks, and stains, but here it is for now.
DM

[JD Alan]

So what size is the belt?

[Marshal Will Wingam]

That's cool. The cracks really give it character.

[GunClick Rick]

Be a great mountainman belt,but it looks cool to me..

[cowboywc]

Howdy DM
That is a good lookin rig.
Where did the leather come from?
WC

[Johnny McCrae]

Beautiful rig!. It has a great look to it. As Marshall Will said, the cracks give it character. I've had a few belts that have cracked on me after dyeing. One was on a rig for myself and I used it for over two years with no problems. Since I've been using home brewed Walnut Dyes and Skidmore's as the final finish, I seem to have eliminated the cracking

[Dalton Masterson]

JD, I think the size is 41" or so, with room to move the billet. Of course, then it would leave holes, need more spots, etc, etc.
I could probably get into it with a little bit of adjustement or a creatively long billet. I need to add a keeper strap onto it as well.

WC, the Leather was Tandy and the rest of the hide was great. I just used an alcohol based dye, and dried it out.....accidentally of course. Now Im thinking of accidentally drying out a set of holsters so I can get them to match...

DM

[Ace Lungger]

Dalton,
AWESOME  AWESOME   AWESOME  I am in love with the Holsters, those Holsters are exactly what I am planning on making this summer!!! Johnny and TW both sent me carving patterns like them and I plan on this summer making a attemp to make them. Wish me Luck
What did you use to dye the holsters?? The cracks in the belt don't bother me, but I think if you could make a couple of holsters that would crack like the belt did, you would have a rig that looks very Period Correct!!
First Class Work!! Keeo it up!
ACE

[JD Alan]

41? I think I can remember when 41 fit............nope, I can't Darn, I would have bought that in a heart beat if it would have fit.

[Dalton Masterson]

LOL, JD.

Ace, the holsters are cracked too, but not as much.  I used heat to do it, which made the leather hard. I do NOT recommend it.
Cant wait to see your version of these JD,

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

    Howdy Dalton

     As you know I prefer the old worn look, and you captured that with this rig, like Marshal Will said it gives this rig character. and those cracks shouldn't get too much more opened, I'm sure you rubbed in a bunch of Lexoil, and that along with Skidmores it should keep the leather in tacked, great job Dalton, thanks for sharing.

       tEN wOLVES 

[Biscuit Joe]

I like the cracked look a bit. I think I'd get some junk metal or sand paper and have a lite go at the holsters and make it a really antiqued looking rig.
sorta like making the best of a oops.

[Ace Lungger]

Howdy Dalton, 
I hope you don't mind me asking, what did you use for dye? That color blows me away, I love it!
Later
ACE

[Dalton Masterson]

It was medium brown that I dyed it with originally. Then when it cracked, I used an antique gel to go back over it and color the cracks in. I dont remember if it was mahogany, or a brown that I used.
DM

[outrider]

Dalton...looks really neat....I like the way the 49'r holsters came out.