Progress Report- Buckles & Belt Hardware

Tim Finkas · Post by **Tim Finkas** » Wed Apr 17, 2002 10:50 am

I have been getting alot of buckle inquiries so I thought I'd post a progress report/update on my activities.

STOCK SITUATION
Stock is currently very low, but I have a large order with the foundry that should have me stocked up on all my regular items in about 3 weeks.

The Roger de Trumpington set
The buckles are ready for production, and I actually have a few first-run samples in-stock. At the moment, I am selling these only through e-bay auction, but the prices are higher than what you will pay when these become part of my regular offerings. The eyelet mounts are molded and ready for production.

Still in the works- the cast buckle plate, chape & bar mount. I have decided to make the bar mount as cast, not fabricated, because casting is simpler production. I will probably make these with rivets cast in-place, to make it easier for novices to assemble.

Future Projects
I am still working on a standard 13th-14th century armour buckle in sizes for 1" and 3/4" straps. Current models are single-loop pointed D-shape intended for use without a buckle plates for ecomony's sake. I may offer a cast buckle plate seperately? I'm also working on a design for integral plate buckles with rivet stud molded in place, per some period examples.

Exotic Stuff
I'm also working on a celtic button from Roman occupied Britain. Why? I just like them. I am also contemplating a set of plates & buckles for a Turco-Mongol belt with pendant straps. Why? Because I want one. Norman and I have also been discussing some Eastern button possibilities.

New Identity/New Web Site
I'm probably going to change my name to "Historical Stud & Buckle Company" and have a domain name that is complementary to that. Stay tuned for further developments...

------------------
Tim Finkas<A HREF="http://finkas.home.netcom.com/Forgerie/Index.html" TARGET=_blank>
The Historical Forgerie</A>
Coming Soon: New name, New domain, New Prices, New products (?)

JJ Shred · Post by **JJ Shred** » Wed Apr 17, 2002 11:46 am

Just let me know when the Trumpington set is ready to go. Or I could buy the pieces seperately as they come available, if you'd prefer.

James B. · Post by **James B.** » Wed Apr 17, 2002 12:18 pm

I am interested in seeing the rapier belt parts. I am looking for them in pewter intead of brass too. When will you have those parts on your site?

Thanks

Flonzy

------------------
Cheap garb is as bad as plastic armor.

Tim Finkas · Post by **Tim Finkas** » Wed Apr 17, 2002 12:43 pm

Flonzy,

Sorry to disappoint you, but I am not interested in making rapier belt parts in pewter. In my opinion, it is just not strong enough. In addition, I am not aware of any evidence that pewter was used for this---but admittedly, I have not thoroughly researched the issue. The hooks and loops on a rapier belt take a good deal of stress and torque making pewter undesirable.

For now, try www.HistoricEnterprises.com . I traded my molds to them a couple of years ago and they currently sell a very complete rapier belt hardware set (in brass or yellow bronze, I'm not quite sure). They might be amenable to having that set made in white bronze for you, but I don't really know.

When and if I make another rapier belt set---and I probably will---I can have the parts made in white bronze instead of brass or yellow bronze. Or, I can have the brass silver-plated. Let me add that the set will look different from the one H.E. sells. At present I am looking over 16th cent. portrature to gain inspiration for the forthcoming set.

------------------
Tim Finkas<A HREF="http://finkas.home.netcom.com/Forgerie/Index.html" TARGET=_blank>
The Historical Forgerie</A>
Coming Soon: New name, New domain, New Prices, New products (?)

[This message has been edited by Tim Finkas (edited 04-17-2002).]

James B. · Post by **James B.** » Wed Apr 17, 2002 1:13 pm

Sorry I don't know anything about metal casting I was just assuming that the parts were pewter or something similar. Brass with silver plating would be what I am looking for. I have looked at your stuff Historical enterprise and Raymond Quitepress belt parts and so far your castings look the best.

Can you silver plate the current 15th century items you have? If so would it cost extra?

Thanks

Flonzy

------------------
Cheap garb is as bad as plastic armor.

Tim Finkas · Post by **Tim Finkas** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 11:09 am

I can have any of the buckles & parts I offer cast in white bronze or silver-plated brass. And yes, there would be a price increase---and perhaps a wait of 30 days or so as it would constitute a "custom" order.

------------------
Tim Finkas<A HREF="http://finkas.home.netcom.com/Forgerie/Index.html" TARGET=_blank>
The Historical Forgerie</A>
Coming Soon: New name, New domain, New Prices, New products (?)

Stefan of Kiel · Post by **Stefan of Kiel** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 4:23 pm

Great looking buckles. Do you have any 1.5" or 2" buckles? Have you considered casting vervelles? Keep up the good work and I'll try to place an order in May for some buckles and maybe some clothing. Again, very nice everything.

Also, please let us know when the armor buckles are ready.

------------------
Stefan von Kiel

If you can't use finese, then make a mess.

[This message has been edited by Stefan of Kiel (edited 04-18-2002).]

Tim Finkas · Post by **Tim Finkas** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 6:56 pm

Stephen, I think you might be confused.

I sold my molds for 16th century rapier belt hardware to Historic Enterprises. They now own the molds and produce the buckles & fittings under their own auspices. You can only purchase the items from them. They also sell a selection of buckles & fittings from other periods (which I did not sculpt for them, just so that there is no confusion).

At the moment, I only offer a small product line of buckles, decorative belt plates/mounts and some other cast bronze items. My future plans include creating a new set of 16th c. rapier belt hardware---as mentioned in my original post.

I do not at this time offer any clothing items, although that MIGHT be a possibility someday.

My current offerings may be seen at http://finkas.home.netcom.com/Forgerie/Index.html

------------------
Tim Finkas<A HREF="http://finkas.home.netcom.com/Forgerie/Index.html" TARGET=_blank>
The Historical Forgerie</A>
Coming Soon: New name, New domain, New Prices, New products (?)

Amalric Unomen · Post by **Amalric Unomen** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 3:05 am

Tim do you have a ballpark figure on the Trumpington stuff, I think I am buying a sword and need to budget. Thank You

Stefan of Kiel · Post by **Stefan of Kiel** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 9:51 am

Tim,

Yes, I was confused. Sorry.

------------------
Stefan von Kiel

If you can't use finese, then make a mess.

Melchior · Post by **Melchior** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 11:10 am

Hey Tim,

How about buckles for a Black and White 1/2 harness. I am working on one now, a period style not for SCA. Trying to make it as close to the originals as possible.

M

------------------
Melchior Erasmi von Frankfurt
AKA Neil Erasmus
In Service to the Dream
Visit my site
www.geocities.com/neilerasmus/index.html

Tim Finkas · Post by **Tim Finkas** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 11:56 am

Amalric:
The entire Sir Roger de Trumpington sword belt set will include buckle, tongue, chape, belt plate, 10 rondel eyelet mounts, & 10 bar mounts will run about $88.00. Depending on how long you want the belt, you might want more or less mounts (Rondel $2.60 ea., Bar $3.00). Of course, this is just an estimate, but I think it's pretty close.

Melchior:
E-mail me some references on the buckles for the Black & White armour, i'd probably be interested in making those. BTW, just got an original Elizbethan buckle which I may resculpt and add to me offerings.

------------------
Tim Finkas<A HREF="http://finkas.home.netcom.com/Forgerie/Index.html" TARGET=_blank>
The Historical Forgerie</A>
Coming Soon: New name, New domain, New Prices, New products (?)

Melchior · Post by **Melchior** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 12:13 pm

Tim, Will do. Sound good

M

------------------
Melchior Erasmi von Frankfurt
AKA Neil Erasmus
In Service to the Dream
Visit my site
www.geocities.com/neilerasmus/index.html

cheval · Post by **cheval** » Fri Jun 14, 2002 8:54 pm

So, Tim, what's the news on the Trumpington stuff? Have you gotten them into production yet? If not, can you point me to any of your eBay auctions (if you have any left, that is *g*)... -c-

Tim Finkas · Post by **Tim Finkas** » Fri Jun 14, 2002 11:28 pm

Cheval,

At the moment, I have 3 of the Trumpington buckles in-stock and available for purchase at $12 each (+ shipping). I also have a number of the Trumpington eyelets at hand (8 @ $3 each). These represent preproduction samples from my previous foundry.

The buckle plate, chape and bar mount are on hold till I work out my current negotiations with the new foundry. They still require sculpting, prototyping and molding.

Fortunately, things seem to be working out with my new caster and I expect to have some of my previous designs in-stock by the end of next week, or soon thereafter.

I'm sorry to report that the Trumpington full production is looking to be at least a few months away still. This process is painfully slow, and real life issues have kept this project from receiving my attentions for a while. I applologize to those of you who are still waiting.

------------------
Tim Finkas<A HREF="http://finkas.home.netcom.com/HSB/HSBMAIN.html" TARGET=_blank>
Historical Stud & Buckle Company</A>