Leather belt construction

[jvrjenivs]

Okay, as I'm a little bit fascinated by this, I've chosen to make such a backside for my new cingulum I'm making for the new season.

I just started a test piece of about 45 cm long, which I thought would be nice to share. It's constructed out of a central piece of thick, strong linnen folded within a piece of furniture leather (I think about 1.2 - 1.5 mm thick).



So far it seems you wouldn't recognise the seam at first sight and that is's a really strong construction. But still need to do a lot of stichting and attaching some heavy beltparts to test the piece.



Note that this, as being a test piece, has badly done stitching. I didn't put in any effort to get the stitching look nice.

[LUCIUS ALFENUS AVITIANUS]

It's very nice, indeed. :lol:

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Salvete,

We know the Romans often used several layers of leather to make the belt for a balteus.




On this last belt you can see how the zone where the apron is attached is cut open and the apron is inserted between the two layers of leather.

How in earth is this done?

You can clearly see that the belts consist out of two layers of leather, both the front and back are the smooth side of the leather. The edges are round (so folded IMO, not cut edges). But I can not see a seam.

I've been pondering this for a very long time. Can someone tell me how this can be done? I would be able to sleep better at night if I know.

Any opinions are very welcome!

Valete,
Falco

As I am doing this belt, I have been thinking about several techniques to do this. It is possible that each strap is a separate one, but it is also possible they are all made from one piece , that is inserted into the belt.

[jvrjenivs]

Byron, I'm planning to cut them out of one piece which is insterted into the belt body. This because that's far stronger and easier attached then all loose straps.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Another possibility is they are made from the same piece of leather as the belt. Looking at Eriks, it seems the leather of the belt is as thick as the straps.

But it could be an illusion.

That is the one I favour too Jurjen. I need to see how long they need to be though, as I may not have enough of the apron plates...

[jvrjenivs]

They could be cut from the same hide for sure, I think. I'm planning of do a decorative row of stitching along their edges too (and to make them stronger, as the leather will be thin anyway.

But It's impossible to make it out of one piece, as the apron comes from within the belt with it's outside to the front (so It must be an loose part). That would also be more efficient for the use of your leather hide.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Yes, but one has to put forward theories, just to see if others see the same faults.

[jvrjenivs]

Okay, just rivetted the plates to the test piece. At first sight, it seems to be a very strong and good construction method The linnen part really make it stiff.

[M. Demetrius]

Be sure to take a tool and tap the corners of your rivets in. Those can snag your tunic. Or your hand. I wonder why they didn't seem to use round washers? Oh, well.

[jvrjenivs]

Yeah, for the final piece I surely will make better ones. For this test this was the fastest way. I don't am patient by nature, so I don't can stimulate myself to take more time to do it nice, if it's just a test piece.

[Marcus Mummius]

Nice work Jurjen. I did the same test some time ago, but I wasn't able to take pictures. My cat has demolished the test piece since then...

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Demetrius, the did use something called bell-caps. Brian Stobbs has done a lot to prove the technique.

[jvrjenivs]

Now I only need to search for a nice piece of leather for the final belt. All the plates are ready to be tinned/silvered (not sure what I'm going to do yet)

Byron, do you've picture os those bell-caps. I don't have any clue what is meant by that?

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Not sure if Brian has posted any or not, but basically it is a small dome,
The rivet is peened onto it, the edge of the dome grips the leathersecurely, wit hout having to crush the rivet onto the flat washer and crushing the leather in the process. Having seen the technique work, I am convinced. 8)

I have yet to experiment my self, but when I do, I will post some pics, if Brian does not do so first, since it is his technique.

[M. Demetrius]

So where can we get a little baggie of bell caps?

We wants them, My Precious! Yesssss....