What an absolutely gorgeous buckle! If you need somebody to take care of it till you find a belt for it, I’m available I never got to hear wolves in Ontario, but they were in the area where we used to vacation. So I could imagine them!
So as far as finding belts for buckles, I have had luck in the oddest places. I got one at a truck stop in Oklahoma City, and I found really cool ones in a Lucky Brand store; you might check their online site. I bought one at a vintage western store off the plaza in Santa Fe, and I splurged on one off the BritWest site (although it was a studded one that was cheaper that she doesn’t have anymore). The Santa Fe store has an online site, but I can’t remember the name of the store at the moment. I’ll try to find it and post it.
You also might just try googling Western saddlery type stores; they often have belts with snaps to add buckles.
Edit: I found the store, Santa Fe Vintage Outpost, but their website doesn’t appear to have any way to order stuff, or even have photos of what they have in stock
That could be a signature with an electric engraving tool. Maybe @Steve could have some luck with it. I’ll take a SWAG at it and guess perhaps Denise Peynetsa (Zuni).
My take: The buckle likely predates the vibratory engraving signature (?) by decades. The hand that created the buckle almost certainly is not the same hand that scrawled whatever this is on the back of the piece many years later.
some signatures done with ink pen on paper are hard enough to read. these machine gun blasts done with electric engravers are on a whole different level.
Thanks everyone! @Ravenscry yep, I purchased the one in the link. The other unique two piece buckle I shared was really small for my taste (about 4” long, but only about 1” wide), I like statements!
@mmrogers and @Ziacat thank you! I’m looking forward to wearing it.
@StevesTrail and @Steve thank you for taking a shot at the “signature.” I didn’t think it was from the artist, as it felt like the buckle itself had more age than that, but I guess stranger things have happened.
I’ve come across this general design of center bar buckle many times, and have grown fond of it. I felt that the overall shape, four flowing, repoussé arms, and stamp work would make for something a bit different in my collection.
I’ve been hunting for a similar example, and was recently able to acquire one. The few that have been available to purchase, at least from what I’ve seen, are on concho belts. I’ve seen some that have sold separately, as stand alone buckles, but had yet to find one available, until last week…
Navajo, 3 1/4" x 3 5/8", accepts 3/4" belt, 70 grams, ca. 1920
I know you’ve got the goods to do so, @Ziacat, they would compliment your beautiful cuffs and other fabulous pieces so well. I’ve got an inkling that your doppelganger, Brit West, would agree!
There are a few early era cuffs and bracelets that I’ve lusted after, but due to my ogre-like wrist size, and knuckles for that matter, it seems I’m best suited to the adjustability of leather.
Aaron, the stamp and repousse work on your new buckle is awesome. Really like the detail of the border lines around the cutout and needless to say, the arrow stamps are just plain cool.
Hope you finished off that outfit with a pair of good looking Western boots.
ETA: I see you got lucky with a 3/4" opening for the cutout.
I never got to hear wolves in Ontario, but they were in the area where we used to vacation. So I could imagine them!
Wear it well! If you’re so inclined, share pics once you get it on some leather!
