1850s Holster buckles

WaddWatsonEllis · January 24, 2011, 07:20:41 PM

Hi,

When I am doing reenacting as a Califormio, I wear a holster rig that has an antiqued and tarnished brass square buckle.

I am thinking that a rather well to do Californio would have gone to the local silversmith and had the 1850's equivalent of 'bling' as a belt buckle ...

Does anyone know what type of belt buckle would have been prevalent in the 1850s?

Thanks ...

FEATHERS · January 24, 2011, 08:42:42 PM

Hi WWE,Take a look at www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/catpg1 they have a great selection there,like this buckle on page 22.Feathers

River City John · January 24, 2011, 09:39:10 PM

http://www.hanoverbrass.com/

Hanover brass has an extensive offering of belt plates. I have seen pics of images taken during the gold rush days of ca. 1850 of men wearing a typical British type serpent "S" shaped buckle.
They reproduce plates from 1810 on up, including many militia plates from pre-Civil War.
I have one of their Confederate Navy two-piece buckles they mounted on a belt for me that I am very pleased with.
RCJ

JimBob · January 24, 2011, 11:35:47 PM

Wadd Watson,looking at your post below on attire,the post on page two by Chuck Burrows has a picture of a belt and holster rig with a fine looking buckle on it such as a well to do person of the period might have worn I think.Not being a military impression typical buckles of the period I should think would be the open frame buckles like that,square or oval in shape.

Cliff Fendley · January 26, 2011, 09:20:27 AM

Where is this post on attire with Chucks rig pictured? I can't find it

Cliff Fendley · January 26, 2011, 09:26:38 AM

Never mind, found it

WaddWatsonEllis · January 27, 2011, 01:39:36 AM

Jim Bob,

I think you were talking about Geronimo's holster rig ... and yes, that is a very good looking buckle ... would that I could find one ... *S*

FEATHERS · January 27, 2011, 04:29:16 AM

Hi WWE,Take a look at www.westernleatherholster.com/western they have this repo of Geronimo's buckle,you won't like the price

Feathers

JimBob · January 27, 2011, 07:23:21 AM

Yep,that was the one.Although I don't think it's $450 worth of fine looking.

WaddWatsonEllis · January 27, 2011, 09:35:54 AM

Jim Bob,

I have to agree with you .... the Geronimo is what would be my first choice, but at $450 it is more than I have in the rig (minus pistol) *LOL*

I think I will have to settle for the 'Kid Quick and Dead' ... at $59.95 it is more realistic ... however, if I ever win the lotto, I'm coming back for the Geronimo ... *S*

Delmonico · January 27, 2011, 09:41:15 AM

Since I know what picture that is, I don't think it's really Geronimo's rig, I think he "borrowed" it from someone who really wasn't using it at the time.

WaddWatsonEllis · January 27, 2011, 10:08:07 AM

Delmonico,

That was my first thought as well ... that the rig probably belonged to some high desert vaquero/desperado whose bones are probably still bleaching in some Sonoran sand ... kind of an excellent example of 'those who live by the sword' ...

santee · April 20, 2011, 08:03:47 AM

Thanks a rather good picture of the Geronimo repro. I bet you could have a silversmith make one for you for a lot less than $450.

Tascosa Joe · April 20, 2011, 08:37:57 AM

WWE:
With .9999 Silver at $32-35 and oz, sterling or coin silver ought to be a little less. If your local institution of higer learning offers a jewelery course you might intice a student into building your a buckle. I know years ago my wife would have jumped at the chance when she was taking classes.

T-Joe

Trailrider · April 20, 2011, 05:12:46 PM

Quote from: WaddWatsonEllis on January 24, 2011, 07:20:41 PM
Hi,

When I am doing reenacting as a Califormio, I wear a holster rig that has an antiqued and tarnished brass square buckle.

I am thinking that a rather well to do Californio would have gone to the local silversmith and had the 1850's equivalent of 'bling' as a belt buckle ...

Does anyone know what type of belt buckle would have been prevalent in the 1850s?

Thanks ...

Go to parsleybrass.com and go to "States" and "California". Belt plate #33A is quite ornate and is evocative of the Gold Rush period. Price is $26.95. Tim makes some great belt plates and buckles.

Cliff Fendley · April 20, 2011, 05:33:49 PM

Thanks for that link Trailrider, I bookmarked that one.

WaddWatsonEllis · April 20, 2011, 06:06:03 PM

TrailRider,

I booked that site also ... good idea Cliff!

WaddWatsonEllis · April 20, 2011, 06:11:03 PM

Santee

Jewelry students were on my list as a possble, as well as a couple of places that are trading post for indian jewelry.

I am kind of shopping ...

Cliff Fendley · April 20, 2011, 07:15:23 PM

Were the originals made from sterling silver or were any made of German silver? I know a lot of the bowie knives had German silver fittings and the caps of the sheaths were many times German silver. I use a lot of nickel silver on knives and doesn't look like a buckle would be that hard to make. Time consuming maybe.

I have a good friend (Used to be a builder that I worked for) that makes silver jewelry, he has taken several classes at Gatlinburg on it and now that he is retired does it as a little business/hobby. If you decide to get a custom one made I could ask him if he is interested, I have no idea if he would be it doesn't hurt to ask. I know I've seen some very nice stuff he has made.

WaddWatsonEllis · April 20, 2011, 08:08:46 PM

Cliff,

That would be great, if he was interested in working in the fall. This summer will be more like just surviving,and when I get my Social Security in the fall I and begin to think about buying things again ...

Can I talk to you in September about it? *S*