Belt

[Red Cent]

I getting ready to "larn" belt making.  I want to make a tapered end gun belt that is lined, and I want to fix the tongue/billet to the liner and come out through a slit in the front of the belt. Same with the buckle end. I would like to know what I would put in the search engine. I will keep trying to find something.

[Red Cent]

It occurs to me that I could use 4/5 ounce for the outside and line it with the 8-9 ounce. Sewing the ( I don't know the correct names for belt parts) toungue to the liner (8/9 ounce) so it wouldn't stretch. Same with the buckle end. Make sense?

[Camano Ridge]

Red, I am not sure I am understandig exactly what you want but I think maybe clarifying some terminology will help both of us. A Tapered belt is normaly a one piece belt. The billet or tongue and the chape (part that holds the buckle) are an integral part of the belt . The main body of the belt is tapered at eac end to form the tongue and the chape as shown in picture 1.

A ranger belt is a 3 piece belt consisting of the main belt body, the billet (the part with holes that threads through the buckle) and the chape ( the part that holds the buckle). The main body is cut long enough so that it will overlap itself. The billet and the chape are stitch near opposite ends of the main belt body allowing enough room for the belt to overlap and for adjustment.

Are you trying to make a hybrid type of belt where you have a main belt body that is not long enough to meet ends but is conected by a billet and chape that is attached to the main belt? Is th purpouse of stitching to the liner so that you don't have stitching showing on the face of the belt?

[Massive]

Are you trying to make one or another kind of normal belt, or do you have special requirements in mind?  The suggested method is not conventional, which is fine, but may make it difficult to google up something.

[Red Cent]

As in some of my other stuff conventional is not a good word. Reading the terms or belt parts, it seems I want to make a hybrid.

Picture the first belt. Instead of the regular billet that is a continous extension of the belt; it, as another piece, would be sewn to the liner and emerge in a "sewn around  slit"  in the outer piece of belt. Same for the chape.

I would cut the belt just as you normally would except I would end the billet and the chape and the sewn in billet and chape would suffice. Something different.

I will draw, scan and print.

[Red Cent]

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee189/redcent69/Leather/001_zps2d2d8189.jpg

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Interesting idea, Red. You could also make that a money belt design if you wish to.

[Red Cent]

I have read a lot on here about money belts. Back through the years there are some awesome looking belts. However, I don't know much about the construction of the belts. Are they a billfold "fold" and sewn at the bottom? I have read and understand about the bullet loops and the different weights of leather. I have also read about how some attach the chape and billet. But thats it.

[Massive]

Normally they are folded up so the bottom is the fold, and the top is sewn.

The way you are thinking of doing yours with the heavy on the inside, you could use a screw, and your billet would be adjustable for position.

[Red Cent]

Good point Massive. Actually I may build it with two buckles and "double ended billet".  As I said, I have looked back through the years and I am unable to find a "schematic" of a money belt. Would someone point me in a good direction?

[Camano Ridge]

Red, don't know if you have seen this thread http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,5867.0.html If you have the book Packing Iron go to the pages that the Marshall sites in the thread that will be of help to you. I will dig around later today, I might have some drawing that would help you. You also might PM Cliff Fendley I think he has done quite a few money belts and may be able to offer you some insight as well.

[David Carrico]

I make my money belts from 4-5 oz. Cut it 5" wide, fold it in half.

[Red Cent]

Thanks folks. Packin' Iron is on my shelf. Time for some Dickel and readin'.

[Cliff Fendley]

I make my cartridge/money belts out of 4-5 oz.

I usually make them in either 3 or 3 1/2 inch widths. I cut the leather either 6 1/8 wide or 7 1/8 wide and fold at the bottom.

I have seen 19th century originals from around 2 1/2 width all the way up to 4 inches wide. Most seem to be around 3 or 3 1/2.

Here is a photo of a 3 1/2 inch wide belt.


and here is a 3 inch wide.

[Cliff Fendley]

Here is a close up view of the buckle end. You feed the tongue through slots in the belt body and then into the buckle. This keeps the end of the belt closed.

[Massive]

http://www.willghormley-maker.com/ElDoradoRig.html

I asked that Will add the moneybelt plans to this set, which he did.

Some nice pics here, you can see where it is sewn in this case.

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,38968.0.html

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Cliff, beautiful work on all. I particularly like that 3" belt.

[Skeeter Lewis]

Nice, Cliff.

Some money belts were sewn shut at the end (as on the cover of PI) and the money came out through the slit.

[Cliff Fendley]

Thanks fellas.

Skeeter, I have sewn a couple closed on the end and on some of the wider ones I've sewn them partially on the end. I prefer them open though. If something cant get to the slot to get out then it cant come out the end either so I see no point in sewing the end. The open end is much easier to get things in and out of the belt.

[Red Cent]

The picture under "Colonel Marlowe" is the mental picture I have of a money belt.

Of the hundreds of matches I have attended I have never noticed or looked, for that matter, for a money belt. I will need to do some more research and examine what you pards have posted.

Muchas gracias.