Where to buy large brass belt buckles?

[Risu]

I'm making an original costume for Ren Fair and for the belt I need a large solid or antique brass belt buckle that looks renaissance, medieval, or even arabic. Something that looks somewhat intricate and really old, and it has to fit approximately a 2" belt. Not exactly 2, could be a little bigger or smaller. Problem is, there are only two different types of buckles I can find in that size: Really plain stuff and western/covered in horse heads. Does anybody know of an online store that sells buckles I could use?

 

[Shylaah]

Such a personal preference call, no one but you really knows what you're looking for.
I suggest you just try a bunch of different search terms in Google Images and scroll through the results until you find something that suits you.

These searches yielded some interesting finds.

"victorian buckles" 2 inch belt

"medieval buckles" 2 inch brass

"filigree buckle" 2 inch brass

"ornate belt buckles" 2 inch belt

Shylaah

 

[Risu]

Hm, the Victorian buckle search came up with the most interesting finds, but they were way WAY out of my price range. I've got maybe $50 to dump into this project. I'm making the whole suit of armor from scrap leather I have laying around taking up space and so far I've spent $5 on other hardware. I plan to make the tunic and pants from the cheapest fabrics I can find and I'll be modifying a pair of boots I already have. This buckle is the only part of the project that will cost me any real money and I want to get something good, but I can't break the bank. As much as I like a couple of the $500 buckles.....

 

[Rikarus]

I reccomend you set up ebay searches for this, that way you get upddates and don't waste forever searching in ebay, a repro buckle that isn't captain jack right now is a little tough to find on the cheap. There are a few folks on ebay that are making custom casts that run 20.00 or more.

Some alternatives depending on the look are western buckle sets at Tandy leather, you get that patterned tooled look, and they have them up to 1.5 inche straps, not sure about bigger.

 

[gcngamer128]

What about Tandy Leather Factory?

Tandy Leather Factory - Belt Buckles

 

[Risu]

I love Tandy and checked there first, but everything they had was covered in horse heads or lassos. I ended up getting a buckle on eBay that was pretty cool looking, but not brass. I'd still like to find a better one, but it seems searching eBay is my only option.

 

[Kattikins]

I'm making an original costume for Ren Fair and for the belt I need a large solid or antique brass belt buckle that looks renaissance, medieval, or even arabic. Something that looks somewhat intricate and really old, and it has to fit approximately a 2" belt. Not exactly 2, could be a little bigger or smaller. Problem is, there are only two different types of buckles I can find in that size: Really plain stuff and western/covered in horse heads. Does anybody know of an online store that sells buckles I could use?

Try Welcome to Duttons for Buttons they do send overseas. They provide buttons/buckles for movies as well as for hobbyists Might be worth contacting. Hope this is of help

 

[LizardJedi]

Can you find what you want in another finish?

If you can find something in nickel or something, just rub-n-buff it brass

 

[Risu]

I've never been able to get rub n buff to not come off all over everything, no matter what technique I use. I definitely don't want to clear coat the metal. I'm liking the buckle I got on ebay more and more, but because it's silver I think I have to change all of the hardware on my suit now to silver to match it. I guess it's ok to link to a finished ebay auction, here's the buckle:

Silver Decorative Belt Buckle 4"x2 1/2" - eBay (item 320659621110 end time Jun-29-11 21:37:01 PDT)

It's the perfect size and I love the design, it matches the costume perfectly (which is a medievel/renaissance blend suit of leather armor with a tunic and pants, basically intended to be a Timelord in the middle ages. Lots of Gallifreyan writing and symbols) The buckle has that sort of vortex thing and some celtic styling and I love it. The only problem is the mismatched hardware. Well, and it's a style of buckle that I've never seen associated with that time period with a bar and peg fastening. Has anybody ever seen a buckle like that on a suit of armor/medieval belt?

 

[medleyr]

You can also try searching for Santa Belt Buckles
Santa Buckles Images

They are usually bigger and brass or goldtone.

 

[terryr]

I happen to be looking through this catalog. 2 inch buckles are on pg 184-85. Lots of neat fasteners too.

Ohio Travel Bag Wholesale Catalog Information

 

[Risu]

That was my second stop. The only one I like at all is C-1877 and that one is still really plain and silver.