buffalo Report post Posted February 24, 2008 I have a book named "Packing Iron Gunleather Of The Frontier West". I'm sure many of you have seen it. Anyway on page 6 there is a picture of a old gun rig with a real neat belt buckle. I found a guy that has hand carved and now has cast a reproduction of this buckle. http://www.willghormley-maker.com/OWCBuckles.html I ordered 2 of them, white bronze and brass. They are fabulous. The picture on his web site does them no justis. If you are into cowboy action shooting, or just make holsters you can't live without one of these. Regards Buff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bcurrier Report post Posted February 24, 2008 Nice looking buckles. Pricey, though, especially for plain brass - even understanding it's a repro. I might pay it for the bronze, assuming it's actually solid bronze. Bill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuisPaulo Report post Posted February 24, 2008 Very nice buckles. Will is a very nice guy, always answer my questions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johanna Report post Posted February 25, 2008 Wow, someone needs to invite Mr. Ghormley to the forum. Thanks for the heads up. Johanna Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Timbo Report post Posted February 25, 2008 Will is a great guy. I have made a bunch of stuff from his patterns. He is very dedicated to "authenticity". These buckles are the real deal if authenticity is your goal. Granted they are a bit pricey, but, Will chose to have them made in the USA instead of farming them out to the cheapest bidder overseas. BRAVO, WILL!!!!!! Really the price isn't that steep when you consider how much we spend on other things for our craft. Just as a side note, I was having a problem stitching in the toe plug of a holster so I sent Will an email. Not only did he respond, but he was in the process of making a 3:10 to Yuma holster and sent me a series of 8 pictures and instructions on EXACTLY how to do it. What a great guy. By the way he did make all the gun leather in 3:10 to Yuma. Just thought I'd pass along this info. Tim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buffalo Report post Posted February 25, 2008 Wow, someone needs to invite Mr. Ghormley to the forum. Thanks for the heads up.Johanna I just sent him one. Regards Buff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WillGhormley Report post Posted February 25, 2008 Hey Guys, Buff and some others told me ya'll were talkin' about me behind my back. Not much time to chat, but I reckon I'll weigh in. I've got no appologies for the price I'm chargin' for the buckles. I may never see a profit on this project, but it needs to be done. I hope in the long run it will be profitable, but life offers no guarantees 'ceptin diein'. If you look at the price of quality brass plate buckles at Civil War suttlers, my buckles start to look a little inexpensive. I don't reckon there is much differnce in cost, for those who choose to have their buckles made in the States. And, I would stack-up the craftsmanship of the buckles I'm puttin' out against anything on the market. The foundry handeling the production is bendin' over backwards to produce the best quality possible. While the buckles are more expensive than I had invisioned before I started on this project, I had no idea what I was doin' either. And, the bottom line bein'; not a penny of the money spent on these buckles is goin' overseas to people who don't like us or our ideals of freedom. I can rest easy at night knowing nothin' I'm doin' is goin' to end up as bullets bein' shot back at our Armed Servicemen and Servicewomen. Every cent spent is goin' to support hard workin' American craftsmen and their families, (and the U.S. Postal Service). Havin' said all that, if you can find anything comperable to what I'm offering, for less money, buy it! I don't think there is anything else out there. That's why I was forced to do this if I wanted these buckles. Now, don't think I'm steamed at ya' because you may think the buckles are too expensive, (Frankly, I only worry about what my wife thinks). I'm just puttin' the "price" issue in context. If you you can get a better deal someplace else, I'm happy for you. Me, I'll be happy if this project gets out of the red before the end of the year. There ya' have it. And, a hearty "Thank You" to those of you who have purchased the buckles and can't stop gushing about how great they are, (though I think you guys are over-doin' it a bit!) Will Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johanna Report post Posted February 25, 2008 Hello, Will Ghormley! I admire the detail you work into your portraits, and hope you find the time to tell us a little about how you learned to do leatherwork, and how you get yours to look so good. Lots of folks introduce themselves in the member gallery here. Please post your website link, because I'm sure others will enjoy looking at your art. We're very pleased to have you here, and hope you make yourself comfortable. Welcome to leatherworker.net! Johanna (Thanks Buff!!!) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Warren Report post Posted February 25, 2008 Will, very glad to have you on the forum! I have been a great admirer of yours for some time now. I have almost all of your holster pattern packs. I have made several holsters using your patterns or the general idea behind them. I look at your website on a fairly regular basis to make sure I don't miss any of your new stuff. I was glad to hear you got settled with the "Yuma" folks. Your work is wonderful and inspired me to try my own hand at it. Thanks for being willing to share your talents with the rest of us. I look forward to more patterns and inspiration in the future! Warren Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bcurrier Report post Posted February 25, 2008 Will, Are the bronze buckles actually bronze - or brass with bronze finish? Bill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buffalo Report post Posted February 26, 2008 I don't mind spending a extra dollar now and again for quality stuff. But then again some people are way to cheap and always buy and own junk. They would not know quality anyways. Regards Buff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don101 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 Hi Will its about time you got here didnt you get my invite a couple of months back when you visited the shootists, By the way the buckles do look good and the price is good too weve been making that buckle for about 5 or so years now in germany so its not new to us but i must admit yours do look better and are abit cheaper too, thats why i got Wliiy Baumann to get in touch with you as he would appresiate the quality and he hadent seen them yet, Don Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted February 26, 2008 Hey Guys,Buff and some others told me ya'll were talkin' about me behind my back. Will I am glad to see you here. I like your work! Seems like we should talk about more of the masters of leather here. Maybe they will all show up one by one! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WillGhormley Report post Posted February 26, 2008 Will, Are the bronze buckles actually bronze - or brass with bronze finish? Bill Hey Bill, The White Bronze are actually solid bronze. The Brass are solid brass. I didn't want any finishes that were goin' to wear off. Will Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WillGhormley Report post Posted February 26, 2008 Hi Will its about time you got here didnt you get my invite a couple of months back when you visited the shootists,By the way the buckles do look good and the price is good too weve been making that buckle for about 5 or so years now in germany so its not new to us but i must admit yours do look better and are abit cheaper too, thats why i got Wliiy Baumann to get in touch with you as he would appresiate the quality and he hadent seen them yet, Don Hey Don, I do recall your invitation, and actually stopped by this forum. It's just that I've been so busy. Add to that: short term and permanent memory loss because of repeated blunt trauma to the head, 50 years of livin', and workin' from home with all the kids runnin' around, and the result is, I don't get around to doin' everything I need to do. At this point, I'm not sure how much time I'll be able to spend on this forum, but I've been meenin' to stop by for a while. So, here I am. Thanks for the invite. Tell Willy I'm still tryin' to get my PayPal set up to make it easier to order. Again, I've got so many irons in the fire, some of 'em are gettin' cold, (and that computer stuff is so complicated!). Will Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bcurrier Report post Posted February 26, 2008 Hey Bill,The White Bronze are actually solid bronze. The Brass are solid brass. I didn't want any finishes that were goin' to wear off. Will I'll be ordering a few shortly, then. Thanks for the reply, Will, and welcome to the forum. Bill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buffalo Report post Posted February 27, 2008 (edited) Here is a picture of the white bronze one. I spent about 5 minutes with a little metal polish to make it shinier. Regards Buff Edited February 27, 2008 by buffalo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don101 Report post Posted February 27, 2008 it looks good and i like the garcia spurs, Don Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TracyMoss Report post Posted February 27, 2008 The buckles look Good. I order alot of Custom silver buckles, so the price seems good to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
