Duke's El Dorado Rig Pattern

will ghormley · December 09, 2011, 08:48:17 AM

This has been gettin' some attention on the "Flames of Hell" discussion and other places. I figured I'd give it its own title.

Tandy Leather Factory is pickin' up my John Wayne "El Dorado" pattern. It'll be available in February 2012 at all TLF outlets at the latest. Thought I'd give you a preview of the pattern envelope covers:

http://www.willghormley-maker.com/ElDoradoRig.html

I've had a suggestion I include the Duke's money belt in the pattern as well. If I have room, I'll see if I can squeeze it in there. We'll see how that goes, no promises.

But, there ya have it!
Will

Dalton Masterson · December 09, 2011, 09:04:36 AM

That there is going to be a big seller Will. Good job.
DM

Boothill Bob · December 09, 2011, 09:54:17 AM

Just beautiful Will

If I want a moneybelt like Duke, can I make it rough side out, or is it some special leather?

will ghormley · December 09, 2011, 11:04:42 AM

Hey BB,

The best example of the rough-out belt, that actually belonged to the Duke, is made out of a heavy suede. It didn't hold up that great, and had been repaired and backed with more suede to keep it serviceable. If I were goin' to make a reproduction of the Duke's actual personal rig, I would probably use a heavy split suede. However, I would be tempted to abandon the idea of using it as a money belt, and sew through both layers of suede when attaching the cartridge loops, billet and chape.

Will

Sgt. C.J. Sabre · December 09, 2011, 12:26:12 PM

Quote from: will ghormley on December 09, 2011, 11:04:42 AM
Hey BB,
I would be tempted to abandon the idea of using it as a money belt, and sew through both layers of suede when attaching the cartridge loops, billet and chape.
Will

That's how The Duke's belts were made.

Boothill Bob · December 09, 2011, 01:00:47 PM

Yea, will hold up better that way

will ghormley · December 09, 2011, 02:03:19 PM

I know that is how the shops makin' repros are doin' it, but I'm not sure that's how the rig, actually owned by the Duke, was. The Duke's personal rig, that he wore in some movies, has had a backing added to the belt to re-enforce it. Without taking the added layer of leather off, you can't tell for sure if it was sewn through both layers. When it was repaired/re-enforced, they sewed through all three layers.

It would make sense to sew through both layers. That's the way I would do it, (using suede that wouldn't hold up as a money belt), and that's the only way I've seen reproductions done. However, I can't say definitively, after examining the belt, that's how the Duke's belt was done.

Will

Slickshot · December 09, 2011, 03:48:10 PM

I started a "Duke" money belt years ago using tan/cream colored heavy suede, but my idea was to reinforce the outside part of the money belt on the inside with around 5/6 oz leather that the bullet billets would either be sewn to or run behind, in theory it might work.

Hopefully you follow what I'm tryin' to say and describe.

Slickshot

Cliff Fendley · December 09, 2011, 04:26:19 PM

If it's not going to be a money belt then why not just use some regular 8-10 oz carving leather with a nice flesh side and do it in one layer?

will ghormley · December 09, 2011, 08:18:34 PM

Well, the whole idea behind the "rough-out" construction was so the belt wouldn't slide around as much. I don't really buy the concept, but somebody did. I can see it for a rough-out saddle, but I've never had a belt that moved around much at all, (and I don't really care for rough-out saddles either).

Will

Drayton Calhoun · December 10, 2011, 12:49:23 AM

About twenty years ago I made a gunbelt with a nice piece of carving leather with heavy tan suede that was originally going to be the lining. Turned out to be just the opposite, made it with the suede on the outside with some fancy geometric stitching and It looked pretty good. Loaned it to a friend...that was twenty years ago and I still haven't gotten it back, LOL.

Massive · December 10, 2011, 02:33:35 PM

That's a great outcome and answer all around. I looked at all the money belt threads, and asked Will about offering one. Whatever the logic I think it would be a big seller, just based on what the big shops are cataloging.

I mentioned being confused by the threads, because there was a lot of talk about how a real money belt should be made, and different strategies for cutting it for access. I didn't fully understand these responses, but was worried about the effect of only sewing the belt end to the top layer of suede, or cutting an access slot across the load path.

A lot of people with the suede rigs reported really liking them. Curley Cole says he has been using one for 30 years.

Drayton Calhoun · December 10, 2011, 05:00:20 PM

Question...why not just have a partial money belt? Just sew the bullet loops through both pieces then, a line of decorative stitching on either end of the bullet loops to close off the remaining space and leave the billet end open. It would leave you a pretty good amount of open area, look like a regular gunbelt yet still retain a bit of the advantages of a a money belt. It should be enough area for a few reproduction double-eagles.

outrider · December 11, 2011, 07:54:31 AM

Massive,

If I remember correctly ...the Duke Rig that Curly Cole uses is made by El Pasa Saddlery (I may be wrong on this)...I seem to remember a picture of his rig with his Great Western II's. If it is an El Paso Saddlery rig then the gun belt is not suede...it is light veg tanned leather sewn with the flesh side out. Also many of the big name shops sew completely through the belt to attach the bullet loops.

I'm sure Curly can help with this