Lee Marvin's Belt in The Professionals

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I was watching The Professionals the other evening. Lee Marvin wears a belt with two buckles and a widened center section with something stamped on it. Does anyone know if this belt was totally Hollywood or does it have some historical basis? I've been tempted to make one for my WB outfit but only if it is something that existed. If it did in some form, I may want to copy an original. So far, I've not been able to turn up anything on it. This would indicate there never was one of that type. Here's a photo that shows the buckles on the sides but the center section is not visible in the shadows.

[Chaa Duu Ba Its Iidan]

Hi Will,
The photo didn't take; will your please give it another shot?

I think I know what you are talking about and if so, I can help you out with some info.
Chaa Duu Ba Its Iidan

NOPE!  I looked and I cannot tell from the tiny photo I found and my attempt to enlarge it is too blurred to tell anything see below.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Here it is as a jpg. Thanks, Chaa. You can see the two buckles above the gun belt.

[Chaa Duu Ba Its Iidan]

Will, I can't tell what Lee has going on there, but this one I fixed is a little clearer, anyway.

Well, let's see....if I can get the right photo, in the right size to be accepted, we can see it here....

[Kid Terico]

Marshal I,m made a couple rigs like that but I copied the idea from other pictures I ran accross   like that in books. It was spaghetti western. KT

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

There is an example in PACKING IRON, from Mexico.  I'm not at home at the moment to check, but its near the back of the book.

[Chaa Duu Ba Its Iidan]

Sir Charles is right.  On page 130 of Packing Iron is the Mexican embroidered gun rig.  The two buckles are for adjustment on either side of a large, oval or circular stamped/carved leather medallion.  I have not noticed feature before in that photo.   The leather medallion, with chapes on either side, with buckles attached, fasten to two billets on either side of the cartridge belt.  The leather medallion, with billets on either side of it, fasten to two  buckles on either end of the cartridge belt. Interesting!

[GunClick Rick]

I was the model for the Burt Lancaster part,they always charged me 30,but i always left with 40 BABY!!

You gonna make a rig like Marvin wore?I was watchin the movie Pauncho Villa the other day,with Antonio Banderas,good movie..

[Kid Terico]

Clicker didnt I make you one with two buckles KT

[Marshal Will Wingam]

That's the ticket. I've been through PI several times looking for something and totally skipped over the one on page 130. The era is exactly right, 1910-1920. That settles it, I'll have to make one to complete the outfit. I don't recall seeing any bullet loops on Marvin's rig. Probably because he had his 1911 (or 1910) Colt Auto on it with a double magazine pouch centered at the back. His Colt DA was on the other belt. I'll have to reverse the pistols since I'm right-handed. No bullet loops since it is intended for magazines. I'll post the finished rig here. Thanks for all the help, pards.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I've seen that style in a movie.    KIRK DOUGLAS wore a derringer behind the frontpiece.

I made a variation of that double buckle system but with four double loops for 12 ga. shells on the front.  NOT historical, but it works.  By changing the front piece I can rig the loops for anything, or leave it w/o loops and decorated.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I made a variation of that double buckle system but with four double loops for 12 ga. shells on the front.  NOT historical, but it works.  By changing the front piece I can rig the loops for anything, or leave it w/o loops and decorated.

I hadn't thought of that. Innovative. Thats a good idea.

[GunClick Rick]

Clicker didnt I make you one with two buckles KT
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We talked about doin that on the stingray one.You have made me two with one buckle though

[Slowhand Bob]

I made one very similar to this in the late 90s but it was definitely not for cross draw.  The guy wore it for a few years before quitting and I am no longer which commercial maker I copied it from but there is/was one of the big name makers offering this style belt back when.  The downside is for those who use cross draw or any combination pushed towards to the front.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

This one certainly won't be used for crossdraw. I prefer strongsides, not too far forward. In this case, it will probably only need to hold one pistol, anyway.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Here is the double chape belt that I adapted from Packing Iron, p.130.  It shows the shotgun double loops mounted, with a second front piece with 12 loops for .38-55 in front.  To the right are my antique Imperial military spurs.  They are stamped MP on the shank.  I'm not sure if they are NWMP, but MP is a common stamp for mountie gear.

[JD Alan]

Somewhat related question: How do you get that line, or indent, mark, call it what you will in the middle of that shell pouch that Sir Charles shared a pic of? I see it all the time: I don't know how to make it happen, but I'd like to. Thanks, JD

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Boning.  Use a creaser.  The one I have is nylon with a half round head to make parallel lines.

[JD Alan]

Thanks Sir Charles, that was going to be my course of action, but it's nice to know from someone who's done it that it works. That's a good looking belt all the way around. JD

[Johnny Dingus]

Well guy's here is a picture of an old Hollywood holster that has two buckles.  It was on a site with all the old Hollywood holsters of the cowboy stars.  This one was used by character actors.

Anyway hope it is what you are looking for.

Johnny Dingus