Hardware Belt

Summary

In this video, Santee from Arizona Ghostriders introduces his new gun belt, perfect for his Old West attire. He discusses the challenges of cartridge belts, opting for a lighter, laced belt from River Junction Trade Company that allows easy buckle and loop replacement. Santee explores the historical authenticity of such belts, mentioning 'Packing Iron' and various styles like the Ranger and Mills belts. He highlights the belt's comfort and practicality, showcasing how it enhances his Old West experience.

Takeaways

• 🎽 Santee is part of the Arizona Ghostriders and requires Old West attire for his job.
• 🔫 He needs a new gun belt to complete his attire and is looking for one that's comfortable and durable.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Santee's previous belts were either too heavy or worn out, causing discomfort and loss of dummy bullets.
• 👷‍♂️ He considers making his own belt but decides it's more practical to purchase one due to the time and effort involved.
• 💼 He contacts Jim at River Junction Trade Company for a new belt that allows easy buckle changes.
• 🧵 The new belt is a reproduction of a period-accurate, one-piece gun belt made with lighter weight leather and laced with leather for easy adjustments.
• 📚 Santee's research confirms the authenticity of such belts, finding examples of similar belts from the era.
• 📖 The book 'Packing Iron' provides historical context, showing cartridge belts were popular in the 1870s.
• 👕 Santee receives the belt in a square box, which initially confuses him, but he finds the belt to be soft, well-decorated, and lighter than expected.
• 🔗 River Junction offers various styles of gun belts and holsters, some of which are antiques, and they provide historical provenance for their items.
• 🎥 The video ends with Santee preparing for work, wearing his new belt, and a mention of their Patreon for behind-the-scenes content.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the new gun belt Santee acquired?

The main purpose of the new gun belt is to complete Santee's Old West attire for his new job, while also being lightweight and comfortable for walking around all day.

Why did Santee decide to contact River Junction Trade Company for a new gun belt?

Santee contacted River Junction Trade Company because he wanted a new gun belt that he could easily change the buckle on and replace the bullet loops when they wear out.

What historical period does the reproduction gun belt Santee received represent?

The reproduction gun belt represents the period starting in the 1870s when cartridge belts were popular for hunters and civilians.

What is unique about the construction of the gun belt Santee received?

The gun belt is unique because it is a one-piece belt made from lighter weight leather and laced with leather instead of sewn, allowing for easy swapping of the buckle and replacement of bullet loops.

How does Santee verify the authenticity of the gun belt he received?

Santee verifies the authenticity of the gun belt by finding period examples where leather lace was used to repair or resize cartridge belts and by referencing the book 'Packing Iron'.

What was the typical practice when entering a town where carrying firearms was prohibited during the Old West era?

When entering a town where carrying firearms was prohibited, one could drop the gun belt rig off at a designated location by the town Marshal.

What are some of the different styles of gun belts mentioned in the script?

Some of the different styles of gun belts mentioned are the Ranger belt, the Money belt, and the Mills belt.

How did Santee find the belt upon arrival?

Santee found the belt to be soft, with handsome decoration from the oil-treated leather and the stamping.

What did Santee think about the weight and comfort of the new gun belt?

Santee was surprised to find that the belt was much lighter than his other belts and very comfortable for walking all day.

What additional services and products does River Junction Trade Company offer?

River Junction Trade Company offers various styles of gun belts and holsters, including antiques, and also makes hats and gun grips in-house. They acquire collectibles, clothing, and period camp supplies.

What did Santee do after receiving the new gun belt?

After receiving the new gun belt, Santee changed out the buckle for his favorite one, filled up the bullet loops, and got ready for work.