Members Warren Posted February 12, 2008 Members Report Posted February 12, 2008 Well I have been working on this for about 2 months now. I was beginning to think I was never going to get it finished. It is by far the most difficult and time consuming project I have finished to date. I literally have about a weeks worth of 8 hour days in this, if all the time spent on it was added up. I now understand why all the big guys charge so much for cartridge belts. Sewing cartridge loops by hand is the most aggravating thing in the world. In order for me to be able to hold the loops in place where they needed to be sewn I couldn't put the belt in my stitching horse. I spent one whole day doing nothing but sewing on loops. The next day my hands hurt so bad I couldn't work on the belt. I'm glad its finished. The bad news is this one was a practice piece I'll keep. Now I have to do the other one thatscut out and laying on my bench waiting to be sewn together. Worse it's for my brother and it gets teeny tiny .22 cartridge loops. I hope it goes faster sewing them on than these did, LOL. Oh well if it was easy everyone would do it huh?Hope you guys like it. Warren Quote
Ambassador pete Posted February 12, 2008 Ambassador Report Posted February 12, 2008 very nice and well worth the time. With what did you line it (wt., material, etc?) and what weight was the belt and lop material? pete Quote
Ambassador Luke Hatley Posted February 12, 2008 Ambassador Report Posted February 12, 2008 warren..............You did well prilgrim...... you'll go far.... but tho'se .22 loops are a bugger. Quote Luke
Members Warren Posted February 12, 2008 Author Members Report Posted February 12, 2008 Pete, the belt is one peice of 5/6 weight folded over and sewnshut on the billet end and top. The buckle end is left open to form a pouch to put money in. there is a slot behind the buckle that the billet goes though to keep anyting from falling out. I've attached some picture that will explain it better. This was probably the most popular form of cartridge belt used in the old west. The loops are the same weight as the belt whick is one reason it was so hard to do them. This thing should outlast me and my kids, I hope! Luke, thanks. Coming from you thats high praise in my book! Warren Quote
Members John D Dennehy Posted February 12, 2008 Members Report Posted February 12, 2008 I think you did a fine job. I dread cartridge loops myself. I think it was an old issue of the LCSJ that Dusty Johnson was showing how to build gunbelts. In one picture he was working on the cartridge loops. He had a wire jig made up to position each one and hold it to start the stitches. It looked like it would speed things up a lot. The way he does things enabled him to establish patterns to mark each hole if needed. I keep telling myself to get better organized and do this as I make each item. On half the stuff I do I would spend more time at this than if I jump in and make the project. At least you didn't punch a bunch of slots and weave the strap in and out to make the loops. Quote John D Dennehy the Wild Irish Rose Custom Leatherworks and Knives
Members Warren Posted February 13, 2008 Author Members Report Posted February 13, 2008 (edited) John, I really appreciate the compliments. I've seen pictures of the woven loops. There are some in "Packing Iron" which I consider to be the bible of authentic western gun leather and where I came up with the inspiration for this belt. I thought about doing it that way here, but after trying it using some scraps I just didn't like the way it looked. Also since I was doing 2 of these at the same time I wanted to do them both the same. The 2nd one is for my brother and is for his .22 Ruger Single Six. I just didn't see how the woven loops would work for .22 cartridges. I know a big cartridge belt like this for a .22 Isn't authentic, but he liked the idea so there you are. I have already made him a cheyenne style mexican loop holster for it, so this will make him a matched rig. It's ready to have all the sewing done on it. I just need to find the time and the motivation, LOL. When I get it done I'll post it for y'all to see. Warren Edited February 13, 2008 by Warren Quote
Members Warren Posted February 13, 2008 Author Members Report Posted February 13, 2008 John, I forgot to ask about that jig you were talking about. I would be VERY interested in seeing something like that if at all possible. I realize the copyright laws preclude you from simply posting the article, but a diagram or desciption would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Warren Quote
Ambassador Luke Hatley Posted February 13, 2008 Ambassador Report Posted February 13, 2008 warren have you figured out how many silver$$$ that belt will carry. Quote Luke
Members Warren Posted February 13, 2008 Author Members Report Posted February 13, 2008 No Luke I haven't, but I'm pretty sure it's more than I want to put in it! I put cartridges in all the loops and hung a holster from it with my Blackhawk in it and that sucker is HEAVY! I wouldn't want to load it with coins to boot. Call me a wimp but I think those guys way back when were tougher than I am. It's no wonder they rode horses, who could walk carrying all that around and wearing high heeled boots no less, LOL! If you would care to send me 40 or 50 silver $$$ I would be glad to run a test and give you a count on that though! Warren Quote
Timbo Posted February 13, 2008 Report Posted February 13, 2008 Just do what I do when somebody wants .22 cartridge loops............just sew them up a case to hang on the belt that they can dump a box of shells in!! I've refused to do .22 cartidge loops. Way too tedious for me. Your belt looks really good. Tim Quote
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