Besides, I sat here and read through this entire post... S-L-O-W-L-Y and C-A-R-E-F-U-L-L-Y... so as to not miss any of the subtle details and nuances which you both describe and picture so thoroughly and clearly, so I guess that qualifies me as being similarly, albeit vicariously, compulsive as well. I only have a couple of cheap repro web belts, and I'm not very happy with them. The durability isn't there, the hardware seems kind of flimsy, and the end tabs come loose almost immediately. Of course, they only cost five bucks, so ya get what ya pay for.
I remember, though, when I was a (younger) kid, it seemed like the local military surplus store had piles of web belts. That was... a while ago.., long before my Indy-gear interest kicked in (and possibly before Indy had kicked in, but I'd rather not think about that). I imagine the "real deal" belts cost next to nothing back then, seeing as how I still see comments from people who remember when the gas mask bags were common as dirt and cost five bucks or less.
Nice collection, and great photos. It's fascinating to see the differences in weave and color. I imagine the on-set costumers went through a number of these canvas belts during production of the movies. I bet a lot of them were authentically vintage belts, pulled from the wardrobe departments of the studios.
Has your research on this topic revealed when the military began using this style belt, or when they were first manufactured? Was it likely to have been an available surplus or "working man's" item in the mid-1930s? Or is Indy's use of a web belt a case of artistic license?
The first and last photos really show off your awesome gun belt to good advantage. I'm gonna have to back-track and find your gun belt & hardware topic; as I recall, you described in some detail the creation of that excellent piece of gear. It really makes a statement the way you wear it. I need a belt like that.
This is one of the most interesting new "gear posts" I've seen in a while. Thanks for sharing your OCD with us!
) some and it just feels like there not doing the job. Do the WWII version buckles stay sinched, cause it the do I just might be on my own little crusade. Any tipsyou can give on how you found them would also be appreacated.
I couldn't get it around me, and I'm only a 34!
