History of Leather Belts
Early Stone Age Man dating back to almost 500,000 years ago, hunted and killed animals for food and used the animal skins for protection from the elements.
Tools for fleshing, scraping, shaving, perching, padding and trimming have been found from almost every historical period in which tanning was carried out.
The skins obtained from hunting and breeding were initially used to make clothing and were rubbed with animal fats to make them more flexible and durable. This represented the first known tanning process as documented in Homer's Illiad and various Assyrian writings. Another process used in ancient times was smoking - almost certainly discovered by chance.
This then lead to tanning with aldehyde, an element present in the smoke emitted by burning leaves and green twigs. It was soon found that the putrefecation process could also be slowed down by drying, carried out by exposure to the sun or by rubbing in salt. Vegetable tanning, in its turn, was also known in far off times, although it is not clear how the properties of the tannin found in the bark of some trees (especially oak) was discovered. The other method known since 'the dawn of time' is tanning with alum. This mineral is quite widespread in its natural state, particularly in volcanic areas. These processes, which gradually became more refined and effective, provided the basis for the use of leather in the ancient world, and continued to do so for centuries and centuries, right through to the present.
leather production was developed during the eighth century in Spain, then under Moorish domination, and, thanks to the important advances this represented for the tanning process, remained famous throughout Europe for centuries. But Marco Polo demonstrated that working leather was not restricted only to the Western world. In his 'Il Milione' he tells us that the Mongols had been using leather for flasks, blankets, masks and caps, and until last century few substantial changes had been made to their tanning methods. Oil tanning was used to produce skins for protective garments, and alum tanning was also widespread, though not always entirely successful. Various finishing operations were also often made to make the leather more supple and give it a better appearance, mainly through dyeing.
Strips of leather were used as belts for thousands of years dating back to the Roman civilizations before the birth of Christ.
Vintage Western Leather Belts For Sale
Huge collection of Vintage Southwest Designer belts
including Tony Lama, Williams, Fossil, Justin, and numerous others. Also many old leather belts, some a hundred years old or more. Some belts with removable buckles; others with fixed buckles; some with the old style 2-prong buckle, and others with the ancient Square D buckle. Lots of large sizes as well as all standard belt sizes. Send us an email and we can probly help you out with your request. We also "deal" on quantity orders.
WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS.
Belt Sizes
When selecting a belt size, add 2 to your jeans or dress pants waist size. If you wear size 34 bluejeans, select a size 36 belt.
Other Belt Types or Sizes Not Listed
Fort Tumbleweed has a "vast" belt collection with hundreds of belt types not yet cataloged. If you have a specific need, send me an email. Also, if you need a special type of belt or unusually large size belt, I probably have it.
Vintage Leather Belts
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CATALOG No. BELT1
New tooled cowhide western belts!
These are new, great looking tooled, western belts that accept any of the vintage buckles. These belts are available in all standard sizes. Dressy tooled cowhide, 1-1/2 inches wide, durable and good looking belts that can accept any of the vintage buckles or comes with it's own brass buckle. Specify size with a follow-up email when ordering. Available sizes include 28" to 50".
Usually ships in 5-7 business days.
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| $14.95
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Catalog No. BELT2
New, smooth leather belt, 1-1/2 inches wide These belts, available in most standard sizes, accept any of the vintage buckles; Specify size (available sizes 28" to 44") and color (available in black, brown and tan) with a follow-up email.
Usually ships in 5-7 business days
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| $24.95
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Belt Catalog No. BELT4
Western Dress Belt
Great looking Western Dress Belt, 1-1/2 inches wide, accepts any of the vintage buckles; Specify size (available sizes 28" to 44") with a follow-up email.
Usually ships in 5-7 business days
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| $29.95
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Cowgirl Silver Styled Belt
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| $29.95
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Belt Catalog No. BELT11
Cowboy Silver and black vintage leather belt
Very Dressy Cowboy Silver and black vintage leather belts with buckle; Specify size (available sizes 32" to 40") with a follow-up email.
Usually ships in 5-7 business days
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| $29.95
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Belt Catalog No. beltplain
Vintage Full Grain Cowhide Belt, Brown or Black
Vintage black or brown full grain belt. These are broken in but in good condition. Great with Jeans. When placing order, add desired size and color in comments field or send me an email at lenkubiak.geo@yahoo.com.
Usually ships in 4-5 business days
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| $39.95
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Belt Catalog No.beltfancy
Fancy Western Belts, Black or Brown
Nice vintage fancy western belts. We have more varities than shown in picture. Specify size and color in remarks field when placing order, or send me an email at lenkubiak.geo@yahoo.com
Usually ships in 5-7 business days
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| $24.95
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Size 29-30 Ladies Fancy Western Belt
Nice selection of vintage ladies'fancy western belts. Select your belt choice by entering the identifying letter (A-H) in the remarks field when placing your order, or send me an email at lenkubiak.geo@yahoo.com
Usually ships in 5-7 business days
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Come back and visit often. Will be adding new selections daily. Thanks....Len
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For more information, send me an Email or call me at (512) 630-4619.
MORE PLACES TO GO
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Copyright © 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, & 2008. All rights reserved by Leonard Kubiak. Fort Tumbleweed™ and forttumbleweed™ are trademarks of Leonard Kubiak. No Part of this Website nor any of it's contents may be reproduced in any manner without written permission.
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