New 4th Century Roman Belt

Primvs Pavlvs · Post by **Primvs Pavlvs** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:08 pm

I recently made this belt for a friend of mine in Finland. Its made from 8 oz vertan leather and dyed with iron filings soaked in vinegar. Then it was finished off with a application of beeswax and buffed. The stitching is all done by hand with natural materials. The buckle, tip, and belt rings were purchased from Raymonds Quiet Press. I made the belt stiffiners myself from brass stock.

If the swatstika offends you please do not post your commentary about how evil it is. This was chosen for this project not to offend, but to show how the symbol was used early in the Christian church.

[img]http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/Files/thumbs/t_pauly_925.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/Files/thumbs/t_pauly2_187.jpg[/img]

Sextus Maximus · Post by **Sextus Maximus** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 10:34 am

Really nice looking and its a damm shame that symbol has such a negative reaction to it when people do not realize that it is actually a holy symbol. I so need to get some tunics that look like that. Overall I am truly impressed with the kit.

Aedinius

MJBlazek · Post by **MJBlazek** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 3:19 pm

that looks really nice!

and it is sad how the symbol became derogatory.

I hope that you don't run into any trouble for it. It's bad use has pretty much erased its holy use in the annals of history.

T. Finkas · Post by **T. Finkas** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 4:00 pm

Always love seeing your projects, Paul!

Cheers, Tim

rob(in) · Post by **rob(in)** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:22 am

love it.

made one years ago w/ stiffeners cut from a brass door kickplate.

this one is much prettier.

Wolf · Post by **Wolf** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:22 am

horror, i can not believe you used that symbol... blah blah blah ehhehehe jk paul

nice dude. almost as nice as mine hehehe jk

Primvs Pavlvs · Post by **Primvs Pavlvs** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 8:11 am

Shalom from Rome! Thanks Guys!

James B. · Post by **James B.** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 8:20 am

Paul you need to make one for me to go with the coptic tunic I made over the weekend

Syrfinn · Post by **Syrfinn** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 8:21 am

Not sure I said anything over on Roman Talk forum or not, if I havent, then let me do so here.

Very nice work on the belt, and on all the belts I have seen you do. Have seen a few of your belts you have done over there. Always turn out nice and look right.

Chazz · Post by **Chazz** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 11:56 pm

Can you go into more detail about the dying process?

Primvs Pavlvs · Post by **Primvs Pavlvs** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:38 am

Chazz wrote:Can you go into more detail about the dying process?

Generally what I do is throw a couple of steel wool pads into a stone jar I have filled with white vinegar. Let them disolve over a period of a week or so. Then I use a paint brush to paint it on. Its more of a chemical reaction than it is a "dye"

rob(in) · Post by **rob(in)** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:17 am

it's great. you only get black, but it never runs/rubs off/bleeds and has only slightly faded slightly after years in direct sunlight.

GodfryWarinsin · Post by **GodfryWarinsin** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 1:43 pm

Does the jar have to be stone (as in part of the chemical proccess), or can it be glass and still get the same effect?

Also, how wide is the belt? Do you have a pattern you would be willing to share?

Primvs Pavlvs · Post by **Primvs Pavlvs** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 2:12 pm

GodfryWarinsin wrote:Does the jar have to be stone (as in part of the chemical proccess), or can it be glass and still get the same effect?

Also, how wide is the belt? Do you have a pattern you would be willing to share?

Godfrey,

The stone jar has nothing to do with the process. Its just what was in the shop when I made my first batch.

Pattern?

hmmmm no not really I just based it on some original metal fittings I have seen, and a couple of original Roman illustrations.

This one is about 4 inches wide with a 1x36 inch tounge attached that wraps around the main body of the belt once buckled.