ITEM OF THE WEEK Gun shots rang through the open creek, the howls of your enemy faded as they were wounded, the scent of gun powder reaches your nostrils, and you can only continue to fire your pistol as the Indians race towards you with tomahawks raised. Your bullets are faster, your pistol is more advanced, and you mow through them until they run away, then you place your pistol into its holster attached to your belt. The Ranger Belt came into existence in 1840 with the introduction of the Colt Walker six-shooter and it was mainly because the gun itself weighed so much that they had to be attached to holsters on saddles. Trousers back then didn't need belts, they weren't utilitarian as the pants themselves were high-waisted or cinched in the back. But the six-shooter was so advanced that it needed to be able to be worn by the Rangers (men who protected the town from Indians especially in Texas.) It used a cinching technique similar to one found on a saddle that allowed it to be tightened with two pieces of leather so that it wouldn't pinch the horse's mane. Because of this, it was ideal to make the belt the same way, it also allowed for the Colt Walker six-shooter to be holstered onto the belt instead being impractically stuffed into a pair of jeans. It became an "unofficial" part of the Texas Ranger uniform. They began using saddle leather, western belts were typically heavier than regular belts and wider as well. Because of this they weren't used as fashion belts in the 1970's (which is when they brought into the fashion world.) Yet it was still useful to hold those heavy Colt Revolvers. Think it needs to utilitarian instead of fashionable? Think again! Need to add one around your waist? Here you go: Brown Ranger Belt |
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AuthorOver a decade of hands-on experience in the Vintage Denim & Fashion Industry for Men and Women. Categories
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August 2015
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