Wild Bunch Belt

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Years ago I made a belt for a friend of mine. It was a copy of a +-1920 work belt that was my father's. I made one for myself to use as a Wild Bunch belt to hold a 1911 holster and mag holders. He has worn his for over 30 years and won't wear any other belt. Period. He likes everything about it: the roller buckle, the double tangs and the backing piece behind the buckle. He mentioned the other day that his belt needed to be re-dyed. I told him to bring it over and I'd dye it for him. I did that the other day but it's totally worn out so I made a new one for him over the last few days. I'm giving it to him this weekend.

This one is made out of 8-9 oz bridle leather. I put copper rivets in it instead of the split end rivets the original had. Also, the original only had three rivets but I put four in it. He should be able to pick up a horse with this thing. I worked the whole belt both ways to soften it and give it a little surface texture. I may have to make another one for myself.

[Johnny McCrae]

Beautiful! That is one top quality belt. Looks like it was factory made with great care and precision.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks, John. i'm sure he'll like it.

The original buckle was this type, which isn't available any more. In fact, this buckle may be the one off the original belt. The original was 2" wide but that's a bit much for today's belt loops. I have a couple of these old style buckles in 2" and 1-3/4". This new belt is 1-1/2" wide.



To get a double tine buckle, I robbed one off a second roller buckle.

[Rube Burrows]

Beautiful job. Great looking belt and I am sure he will cherish it as he has the original.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks, Rube. I'm headed over there today to give it to him. He wanted the other one dyed a dark brown with a reddish tint so I put a splash of cordovan in the dye for this one. It should be close to what he wanted. We'll find out in a while.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

The belt is a hit. I called it right on the color, too.

I may have to make one for myself.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Excellent design Will, and it looks great, should be strong enough to handle about anything...
tEN WOLVES

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks, Rod. It's a pretty cool design. I feel fortunate that I found the original one all those years ago. It was buried in a box of stuff in the shop at the ranch. Over the years I've probably made a half a dozen of them.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I found a photo of one I made with the original style buckle. The original style looks nicer but the roller buckle is much more user friendly.