Original "Fair Weather Christian" Belts

[Fox Creek Kid]

http://www.mcpheetersantiquemilitaria.com/05_accoutrements/05_item_006.htm

http://www.cowanauctions.com/auctions/item.aspx?ItemId=77946

[Trailrider]

Would have loved to have owned either or both. Unfortunately, the one with the M1851 Eagle Sword Belt Plate appears to have been sold, and the other one is way beyond my means. Beautiful examples of the early prairie belts. And, as stated, originals are virtually unknown.

[bedbugbilly]

Kid - interesting belts - thanks for posting.  I've seen several originals made from belts with the Eagle plate but it is the first time I've seen one made from an enlisted man's belt.  Both are really great examples - thanks again for sharing!   

[Rebel Dave]

My inquiring mind wants to know ,  what does the term "Fair Weather Christian Belt" mean, and where did it start, or come from.

As Always   Rebel Dave

[Camano Ridge]

You, just had to ask. If you do a search on this site you will find a couple of threads discussing it. Here is one http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=33590.0     It boils down to no one knows for sure but everyone has an idea or story. For the most part they were listed as experimental and were made by soldiers or sadlers by stitching loops onto infantry or stripped down sword belts. I have found no historical record that shows they were adopted by or issued by the Department of Ordnance. As to who Fairweather and Christian were or if they were who's at all, there does not seem to be any  verifiable doccumentation that I can find that says who they were or why the belts were named such. Again I am sure others here will have information and if anyone has any leads to verlfiable doccumentation I would love to see it or know where to look.

[Fox Creek Kid]

My personal belief, and the most logical explanation as well IMO, is that the term Fair Weather Christian is a double entendre whereas a Christian may in times of trouble need to resort to violence, hence the usage of Fair Weather in a reverse sense.

Remember the old term Cardiac Catholic for deathbed converts?