Suspenders

[Whiskey James SASS#85199]

Hey All,

I'd like to put together some suspenders.  I've been looking at pics on merchant sites but what I need is to see the back side of a set. 

thanks,

Whiskey James

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Here ya go, pard. Pay close attention to the top pair. They're pretty authentic. That middle piece is elastic.

http://www.hamiltondrygoods.com/suspenders.html

[Whiskey James SASS#85199]

Thanks Marshal

[WaddWatsonEllis]

I have a pair of these that I really like. Most suspenders, regardless of what they say, use a sliding bar for adjustment. I am guessing that is a fairly modern invention; probably post 1900

These suspenders are a copy of what Tom Selleck wore in Quigley Down Under . They use a stud and buttonhole system to adjuste them. The studs are similar to what would be on a tux shirt today, but the idea has to be as old as buttons.....

http://texasjacks.com/accessories-gifts/5010QuigleySusp.

[ChuckBurrows]

Most suspenders, regardless of what they say, use a sliding bar for adjustment. I am guessing that is a fairly modern invention; probably post 1900

Nope not post 1900 - from about the 1850's prong buckles similar to those used for period pants and vest back adjustment belts on the back side of both were used for suspender adjustment. The slide adjusters apparently appear around 1890 and a type of clasp end to replace buttons on the pants was patented in 1894. Sam Clemens received three patents for suspenders - the first in 1871.

For more info start here:
http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discussion.cgi?disc=39627;article=140948;title=B.J.'s%20%20Tombstone%20History%20Discussion%20Form and click on the links provided.
To see a pic of the 1894 clasp patent see here:
http://inventors.about.com/od/sstartinventions/a/Suspenders.htm

Civil War era suspender pics:
http://www.cwreenactors.com/~sykes/equipment/LOC_shirts.php

http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/j_mayo/relics.html

Here's a good how-to on the use of the prong buckles used with linen suspenders for the CW era:
http://www.jarnaginco.com/suspenders.htm