Please pardon the misstep if I posted this in the wrong forums.
I am trying my hand at becoming a new leather worker and am have a difficult time finding hardware that looks anything close to being period. I thought I'd start with a simple project like a leather Baldric and simple things like D-rings, Buckles, and adornments are few and far between.
We pirates have never seen chrome so I was wondering if any of you out there have any suggestions to where I can look for some old looking hardware? I'm also building a leather scabbard for my new sword and am having a hard time finding Metal chapes for the tip (I know these may be more difficult to find).
Thanky!
Tandy Leather or the Leather Factory is were Toki goes to get much of his leather working materials including buckles and D-Rings
I spent a few hours in our local Tandy Leather store and most of what they had was chrome plated. Too shiny for my taste. I was hoping to find some of the stuff that looked hand forged similar to some of the buckles that Pyrate leatherworks uses. Since most of the leather product vendors don't sell their hardware separately, I was hoping to find a source.
Tandy is a great store and I walked out of there more than $200 poorer! Still well worth it.
Like the one on the left:
(http://pyrateleather.web.aplus.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/3buckles.jpg.w560h465.jpg)
Those buckles would make great projects for a high school metal working shop. Unfortunately, it may be several weeks before your local high school has any students ready for a project like that.
I would try eBay, resale shops, thrift stores and yard sales. Oh, and stores that sell tack. You know, saddles and stuff. Most of their stuff will be chrome too, but you might find some brass.
Randal
I actually have considered casting some of the buckles myself unfortunately, I need to finish my Baldric in less than a month so I was hoping to just purchase some.
I have been checking out Ebay and every now and then I see something up there but at outlandish prices, who do they think they are? Pirates? :o
I'll keep looking but hopefully someone will come up with a niche mail order place that caters to people like us.
Here is another you might try http://www.mountaintoptradingco.com/buckles.asp (http://www.mountaintoptradingco.com/buckles.asp)
I googled 3" twisted round buckle and came up with it.
Are you looking for Studded buttons and other studded appliques in which to put onto the leather?? Buckles you may see on pouches, Bracers, and the like???
There is a company in Ohio that my local Shoe Repair orders from for his grommets and other hardware he uses to apply to leather, luggage, etc.
You might also try Jas Townsend & Son:
http://jas-townsend.com/index.php?cPath=18
They cater more to Colonial/Revolutionary War era re-enactors, but some of their buckles and d-rings don't look too out of place. They are good honest businesspeople, and their prices aren't too bad.
Great links, thanks!
I'd be interested to find out who that person is in Ohio? I live close to southwestern Ohio so a local source would be nice.
Just found this place in California, looks to carry a huge amount of leather working supplies if anyone is looking:
http://www.sbearstradingpost.com/ (http://www.sbearstradingpost.com/)
Some Leather Hardware links....
http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/ (http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/) This is the one from Ohio where my shoe repair guy orders his stuff. That is where the grommoets come from for all my client needs for grommets, etc.
http://www.sbearstradingpost.com/leather_hardware.html#binders (http://www.sbearstradingpost.com/leather_hardware.html#binders)
http://www.eleathersupply.com/decohardware.shtml (http://www.eleathersupply.com/decohardware.shtml)
I believe this is also the where the Chrimson Chain out of Toledo get their findings for pouch closures, riveted buttons, etc. Perhaps that is why I get something from them each year at CONVergence.
http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/Graphics/Catalog_Web/Medieval%20and%20Renaissance/pages/2.htm (http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/Graphics/Catalog_Web/Medieval%20and%20Renaissance/pages/2.htm)
(http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/Graphics/Catalog_Web/Medieval%20and%20Renaissance/images/2.jpg)
Just some of the examples that can be used for Period Clothing.
It appears that I will have to order some of thie hardware for Chains of Offices, add ons for garb, etc.
I can't thank all of you enough! May your flasks never empty!
Raymond's Quiet Press (http://www.quietpress.com/) has a nice selection of period (bronze) belt fittings.
For H/A try Historic Enterprises (http://www.historicenterprises.com/)
Do you know of any sadle and tack stores in your area? Or maybe any old farmstores that might have repair equipment for sadle and tack?
often the plain looking basic buckles you'll find there are more period then buckles like the "forged" buckle with that twist in it.
if your intrested, take a look at these pictures I just dug up from when I was in Europe 2 years ago. the have a few examples of belt buckles in them. click on the pictures to see full size
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i47/jcbanner/misc/th_d577e07e.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i47/jcbanner/misc/d577e07e.jpg)
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i47/jcbanner/misc/th_8bf76d5f.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i47/jcbanner/misc/8bf76d5f.jpg)
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i47/jcbanner/misc/th_P10103622.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i47/jcbanner/misc/P10103622.jpg)
with that last one, the buckles are clearly carved on the straps around the waist and hips. they give a good idea of what was used then.