Money Belt Question - edge finish?

[Flinch Morningwood]

I am making my first money belt (actually my second but we won't go there) and am wondering what you folks do to seal/finish the edges that are sewn together? 

I used 4-5 oz leather and sewed them about an 1/8" in from the edge...I am considering contact cementing the edge together and then burnishing but don't figure that "historically correct"...my alternatives seem to be burnishing as is or leaving "raw."

Any input appreciated!

[Hank Rugerman]

Al...

IMO...burnishing is the way to go...of course I'm not an ardent "Historically Correct" person as some are.

For me the payoffs are the cleaned up look and the "closing the gap" as it were..

In regards to your comment/question regarding glueing...I too am in the process of making a money belt rig. For what it's worth, I will be doing something just a bit different from what I have seen.

I will edge glue as you have said..approx. 1/2" back,down..however you want to call it.
along with this I will be setting two rows of stitching (I know you guys can call me crazy right about now) with a 1/2"" band between them that will be tooled.

---------------------------------------------------------Edge
---------------------------------------------------------Stitch
XXXXXXXXXTooling in this area
----------------------------------------------------------Stitch

[Springfield Slim]

I don't understand. If you want thicker leather that you can tool, why do a money belt? The main advantage is to be able to use softer leather so that the belt will be more comfortable. And I leave the edges raw on mine. I also use oil tanned leather so it wouldn't tool worth a darn anyway.

[Hank Rugerman]

Slim..to answer your question...

Like I said..something a bit different...I understand the reasoning behind the flexibility and usage of the lighter leather.

However,I have decided to trade off...just a bit of the flexibility by using 4oz vegetable tanned leather and creating a moneybelt style....(folded and edge sewn) that will allow me to do a bit of dressing up the way I see it. I have also opted for going a bit thinner on the width of the belt as well...I would have to say it's a bit closer to a Duke style of rig...although there will be a pouch integrated in to the liner..

You know, it could be, that I'm wrong in calling it a moneybelt...although that's the only reference that I personally know..

[JD Alan]

I've wondered why this style of belt is called a money belt, since I usually don't read about any pouches or such. I have supposed it's because of the opening between the fold over and the stitching on top has the capacity to put some folding green there. Is that the case?

[Flinch Morningwood]

I think there were money belts of this style before they added cartridge loops...used to keep your money close in the era of pickpockets and sneak theives while traveling , sleeping, etc.

...putting cartrdige loops on it just made it dual purpose (and much cooler!)

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy Gents

      The money/gun belt has been around a long time, used with or with out bullet loops, most the money carried was coin, but the belt was also used to keep live stock papers and bills of sale, and sure there were those that that carried paper money too.
      The money/gun belt is without a doubt the most comfortable gun belt one can wear, it will allow you rear your rig all day in comfort, it bends with you when squatting, twisting and any other movement, the wider money belts are even more comfortable, by being able to distribute the weight more evenly.

                                         tEN wOLVES 

[JD Alan]

Is there any rule of thumb for leather choices, like what is typically used to make a money belt? What I've seen looks like suede to me, but then I don't know enough about suede to discuss it. I assume it comes in various weights, or thickness. 

The comfort angle got my attention immediately    

[Skeeter Lewis]

A lot of the original money belts were made of pebble-grain calf skin.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Is there any rule of thumb for leather choices, like what is typically used to make a money belt? What I've seen looks like suede to me, but then I don't know enough about suede to discuss it. I assume it comes in various weights, or thickness. 

The comfort angle got my attention immediately    
[/quote

      There were and are several types of leather that were used for money belts, like Skeeter said, pebble grained calves skin, there was Chrome tanned leather, split cowhide, oil tanned leather, oak tanned/ all of the bark tanned leather, Veg-tanned, and most all were done in 3/4 to 4/5 ounce leather, a lot of the chrome tanned belts were left without bullet loops, because of the Verdigris caused by the chrome tanned leather and the brass caseings, some used a Veg-tanned strip the size of there bullets sewed to the belt and the the bullet loops were sewed or pulled through, this took care of the Verdigris. The edge of the seem can be lightly burnished with Gum Thraecanth or just bees wax, or just left as is.

     JD, the suede look you see on the John Wayne belt is just the leather of the flesh side, the finished side is on the inside of the belt, they also call this Roughed out leather, you also see the same thing on some boots, and jackets.

                                    tEN wOLVES 

[JD Alan]

I had a pair of rough out boots when I was a teenager, thought I was "Hot Stuff" If I had all the $$$ back I spent on boots over the years I'd be pretty well off.

I'm not sure how to get that look. I just bought one of those wire brush type things, but I've not done much with it yet. I guess I'll have to play around with that one too. Not enough hours in the day!

Thanks for the Info!