2MadJacks Report post Posted March 1, 2009 Hello I thought I would share this with you all. For those who don't know Heck Thomas, he was one of the Three Guardsmen that work for the "Hanging Judge" Isaac Parker. Together these three men tamed the indian territory. Chasing outlaws like the Daltons and the Doolins. How I got this belt... My very good neighbor friend was a milk man in the days it was still delivered to your door. He told me that he always went out of his way to help the elderly and the widowed. In doing this he of course met some very interesting folks, one of which was Heck's daughter. After years of visiting and becoming good friends, she gave him her fathers gun belt. no holster or gun, just the belt and ammo. After he and I met and he found out how much I enjoy the old west. He decided to pass it along to me, believe me I am very grateful and have since been picking up little tidbits of Heck Thomas paper articles and such. So here you go, Hope you enjoy as much as I have. James Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ArtS Report post Posted March 1, 2009 James, What a great piece of memorabilia to have! I wonder why he had the smaller loops at the bottom of the gun belt. I wonder if it was for a smaller caliber or what. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing that. Art Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2MadJacks Report post Posted March 1, 2009 oh, I also forgot to ask if anyone thought I should put any conditioner or anything else on it, if so what do you suggest? It's pretty dry, is it to late? I store it in a dry dark place. Thanks James Art, my first thought was for rifle cartridges, the way they neck down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChuckBurrows Report post Posted March 1, 2009 (edited) oh, I also forgot to ask if anyone thought I should put any conditioner or anything else on it, if so what do you suggest? It's pretty dry, is it to late? I store it in a dry dark place. Thanks JamesArt, my first thought was for rifle cartridges, the way they neck down. VERY nice piece of history - And yes those loops are for a rifle cartridge - most likely for his 30-30 Win..... The book "Guns and the Gunfighters" by the Editors of Guns and Ammo, published by Bonanza Books 1982, has a good chapter on Heck - it's out of print, but interlibrary loan should find a copy... If very dry my suggestion is to clean well with a PH balanced saddle soap and then add a LIGHT coat or two of conditioner - my favorite is Lexol Edited March 1, 2009 by ChuckBurrows Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ArtS Report post Posted March 1, 2009 "Art, my first thought was for rifle cartridges, the way they neck down." That what I thought at first but then I wasn't sure if they made them that way back then. Thanks, Art Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonyc1 Report post Posted March 1, 2009 Which calibre are those bullets? Tony. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2MadJacks Report post Posted March 1, 2009 (edited) Tonyc1, they are 45 colts. most of them also say UMC some say WIN. I assume they are black powder loads? Chuck is this the book you are referring to? http://cgi.ebay.com/Guns-Ammo-Guide-to-Gun...idZp1638Q2em127 Edited March 1, 2009 by 2MadJacks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChuckBurrows Report post Posted March 1, 2009 Tonyc1, they are 45 colts. most of them also say UMC some say WIN.I assume they are black powder loads? Chuck is this the book you are referring to? http://cgi.ebay.com/Guns-Ammo-Guide-to-Gun...idZp1638Q2em127 Yep that's it - I've got the second edition........that looks like the first edition...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhall Report post Posted March 2, 2009 James that is a great belt I have a period holster from about that time frame and do some work to recreate that style belts for SASS guys.They are BP cartridges,Union Metalic Cartrige Co.& Winchester.If you want a great reference book, Get Richard Rattenbury's "Packing Iron" ,Zion Int.Pub.Co.You will enjoy it more than I can explain..I have used mine so much that I bought a second one to keep!!They did have some bottleneck cartridges that were just entering the" Smokeless"era 30WCF now refered to the 30-30 Winchester...still popular after 104 years.James could you give me measurements in a PM? it would help my research alot! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim L. Report post Posted March 9, 2009 Hi, that is way cool. The brass cartidges will do bad things to the leather though. At that period of time there were lots of tapered rifle calibers so I am sure that is what the other loops are. Also that is the right design for the period. You should foward your pics of it to John Bianchi at his web site. He might have some really interesting things to say as he authenicates this things on a regular basis. JL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nonose Report post Posted January 28, 2013 Heck Thomas is my step fathers great great grandfather. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frank Report post Posted January 28, 2013 That is one great piece of history. He was definitely one of my favorite lawmen. Listen to Chuck as far as cleaning and conditioning. He knows his stuff when it comes to museum gun leather. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted January 28, 2013 Just seeing that old belt was worth getting up today, . . . sometimes you hold something like that, . . . and just wish it could talk, . . . knowing the stories it could tell would make your day. Thanks for sharing. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve75 Report post Posted February 1, 2013 Thank you for sharing that piece of history with us. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattsh Report post Posted February 3, 2013 Totally cool! Thanks for sharing that with us. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
