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WWII belts at Sportsmans Guide
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 2:07 am
by hocfutue
If you're looking for an actual GI WWII belt, Sportsman's Guide is listing 1940s
US issue web belts for about $20.
Looks a lot like the same belt available today for a quarter of the price, but if you're looking for a belt with some mileage on it...
Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 1:37 am
by tym
Neat. I just might pick up a couple for the vintage militaria collection.
Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 10:10 am
by Raider S
It also says "brass-tone" so these may have been plated. Something to consider if you are wanting one to wear rather than collect.
Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 12:37 pm
by GoldenHistorian
if origional the origionals were all brass.
Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:49 pm
by tym
I've just ordered one, so I'll be able to share my thoughts on the composition once I receive it. For others considering a purchase, there are $5 off shipping discount codes available if you do a bit of Googling.
Web Belts
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:13 pm
by Wade Egan
Full military spec with solid brass U.S. made buckle and tip. $7.00.
http://web.mac.com/wadeegan/Wadeventure/Web_Belts.html
Best,
W.E.
Re: Web Belts
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:50 pm
by tym
Though not vintage, those are very nice!
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:25 pm
by Imahomer
I still have my belt that I picked up over 30 years ago for carrying my knife, canteen and a box of bullets when I went hunting. It's probably a little dusty now days.
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:43 am
by tym
Imahomer wrote:...when I went hunting.
You mean, "when I went tomb raiding," right?
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:02 pm
by Imahomer
tym wrote:Imahomer wrote:...when I went hunting.
You mean, "when I went tomb raiding," right?
Well, I started that about 40 years ago. So it was before tomb raiding was as noteworthy a profession as it is now days.
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:39 pm
by Michaelson
We called it 'grave robbing' back then.
Whoops, was that my outside voice?
Regards! Michaelson
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:03 pm
by tym
Michaelson wrote:We called it 'grave robbing' back then.
Whoops, was that my outside voice?
Regards! Michaelson
Oddly, I keep getting beaten to my finds by a polygon-rich Englishwoman with almost superhuman acrobatic skills.
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 7:19 pm
by Imahomer
How did hunting digress into grave robbing!?!????
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:52 pm
by tym
To get this back on topic (sorry, Ms. Croft), I received my belt from Sportsman's Guide today. The condition is pristine apart from some light scratches to the buckle--so pristine, in fact, that I am doubting that it is vintage.
The webbing looks new and does not smell musty. The buckle appears to be plated and then shellacked. There is no tarnishing visible; just some light scratches are apparent.
There is, however, an ink stamp on the back of the belt. I cannot quite make it out.
So, is this belt vintage or not? It does match exactly
wadventure's belt in appearance--including the buckle.
EDIT: Further research suggests that this belt is
current issue and
not WWII-era. So, caveat emptor. It seems that the seller's description is inaccurate/misleading.
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 12:51 am
by RCSignals
It's not stamped 'solid brass' on the lever part that snaps down to clinch it on the belt. Some originals I've seen also have an anchor mark on the back (a maker mark I think)
I've never seen a 'GI' one that wasn't solid brass. I have seen them 'shellacked' though.
I suppose you could scrape it on the back to see if it is brass. If the tip is brass it could also be possible that they added a non GI buckle to sell them easier. then again it's possible that some war production was 'brass toned steel' to save brass.
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 1:00 am
by tym
^ Thanks for the info. Some additional research indicates that this is US Navy current issue. I've packed it up and will be returning it tomorrow for a refund as the description misrepresents the item. I'm rather disappointed in Sportsman's Guide.
Web Belts
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 1:03 am
by Wade Egan
For brass to be over 60 years old and not have a scratch or a U.S. Made or any other makers stamp makes it highly unlikely they are vintage.
I searched far and wide to find SOLID BRASS buckles and tips. They may not be vintage, but these buckles and the webbing are all MilSpec and will age like the vintage belts guaranteed.
http://web.mac.com/wadeegan/Wadeventure/Web_Belts.html
I am very particular and only offer top notch gear. I don't make these, but if I did, they would be exactly the same.
W.E.
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 1:03 am
by RCSignals
That khaki colour is USMC/Navy colour but they (USMC anyway) use a different buckle, it's brass but open faced.
I'd think current issue would still be brass.
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 9:58 am
by Alkali Jones
Hey RCSignals,
I suppose you could scrape it on the back to see if it is brass. If the tip is brass it could also be possible that they added a non GI buckle to sell them easier. then again it's possible that some war production was 'brass toned steel' to save brass.
No need to scrape, get a magnet! If it's plated, you'll know.
Dan S
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 1:45 pm
by tym
^ Good idea, though I've unfortunately already dropped the belt in the mail.
Perhaps the OP can adjust the thread title to reflect the dubious WWII provenance?
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 3:04 pm
by RCSignals
Alkali Jones wrote:Hey RCSignals,
I suppose you could scrape it on the back to see if it is brass. If the tip is brass it could also be possible that they added a non GI buckle to sell them easier. then again it's possible that some war production was 'brass toned steel' to save brass.
No need to scrape, get a magnet! If it's plated, you'll know.
Dan S
True, unless it's aluminum