Historical western belts

[Mungo]

I’m wanting to make a bandolier or cartridge belt, and be as authentic as possible. I’ve been researching old west gear and noticed in the book, Packing Iron,  that the bullet loops on one belt(dated 1875-1880), page 93, appear to be attached with hollow rivets. I thought hollow rivets were a modern innovation, but apparently not. If any of you have the book have a look and tell me what you think. I’m seriously considering using these instead of sewing the loops.

[sinpac]

Can you take a picture of pg. 93? I would like to see it.

Chris

[Mungo]

Sorry, but I’m not sure I should do that due to copywrite laws. Maybe someone with access to the book can take a look.

[fredk]

As long as the picture put here is clear that is from the book and says it comes from it then it would be allowed as it is bring used for 'reference or research'. 

[Samalan]

I think i have two boxes of hollow rivetsthat date back to that time chance i get today i'll check a doctor gave me about one hundred leather working tools that belonged to hi great grandfarther among the things were lettersfrom the leather worker to leather purveyors of the time dated 1891and 1898  i have the book Packing iron fun stuff i'll take a look .

[fredk]

Here is what is being discussed;

The page 93 of 'Packing Iron' book.

As said by the OP the holster is dated 1875 to 1880.  Maker unknown

A close up of the belt showing on the right

The caption for the photo says the bullet loops are individually riveted to the main belt. The way the rivets are split where they are crimped over certainly makes them look like hollow rivets. I can't make out any rivet heads on the front side and it looks like rivets are filled with something - this could be just a century worth of grime and wax polish.

Sometimes, fittings can be found on things made much earlier than we reckon. eg. I was told that the 'Sam Browne' stud was invented about 1850 but I have seen them on equipment made in about 1812 - 1814 and a version of it on equipment from about 1646 -1650

[sinpac]

4 hours ago, fredk said:

As long as the picture put here is clear that is from the book and says it comes from it then it would be allowed as it is bring used for 'reference or research'. 

Yes I was just interested in the rivets. I was thinking if it is 100 years old they would be a rivet with a bur.

[sinpac]

7 minutes ago, fredk said:

Here is what is being discussed;

The page 93 of 'Packing Iron' book.

As said by the OP the holster is dated 1875 to 1880.  Maker unknown

A close up of the belt showing on the right

The caption for the photo says the bullet loops are individually riveted to the main belt. The way the rivets are split where they are crimped over certainly makes them look like hollow rivets.

Maybe a solid rivet drilled out and crimped over?

[fredk]

3 minutes ago, sinpac said:

Maybe a solid rivet drilled out and crimped over?

Too much work. Like us, back then the maker didn't want too much extra work. He would have used something handy and commonly available. I'm thinking a small calibre bullet shell, maybe a .22 or .177? Punched thru the leather the empty tube of the shell would have filled with the waste of the belt rather than removing it.

[sinpac]

2 minutes ago, fredk said:

Too much work. Like us, back then the maker didn't want too much extra work. He would have used something handy and commonly available. I'm thinking a small calibre bullet shell, maybe a .22 or .177? Punched thru the leather the empty tube of the shell would have filled with the waste of the belt rather than removing it.

Could be.