Collecting Western Belt Buckles

As the popularity of Western style grows, so does the fashion and accessories of that style. Western Belt Buckles are currently going through a fashion revival. Today Western Belt Buckles are worn proudly by our president, the governor of California as well as celebrities and movie stars and millions of others who want to add a distinctive touch to their wardrobes. Antique style Western Belt buckles are becoming harder to find and more expensive every day.

It is believed the vaquero, or Mexican cowboy, first introduced fine silver spurs, tack and buckles to the cowboys of the untamed American West, and perhaps to the Texas Rangers. It might have been their desire to wear fine Mexican silver buckles with a wider belt that led to the development of the popular ranger belt and buckle.

The Cowboy belt buckle did not originate until the turn of the 20th Century. Although the idea of collecting antique belt buckles of the famous cowboys who rode the ranges of the Wild West is great, the reality is that the cowboys usually wore suspenders or buckles that were derived from military friction buckles. It was Hollywood and the Western Movies that gave popularity to what is known today as the Western Belt Buckle.

Belt buckles range from extremely large Texas stateseals, oil derricks, and Jack Daniels emblems to simple, elegant silver buckles, tips, and keepers. Belt buckles worn during the 1900's and those worn during the Art Nouveau period have become highly collectible items.

There are famous manufacturers of belt buckles from the first half of the century. Those include: Don Ellis, Michael Srour, Al Pecetti, William Nelson, John McCabe, Les Garica, Edward H. Bohlin and Robert Schaezlein. Those pioneers of the industry are the ones that are most prized for collections.

There are many types of belt buckles you can collect. Besides the more valuable antique belt buckles, there are many companies, such as Hesston, who put out a new dated belt buckle every year. Some rodeos have started making limited edition buckles every year. One such is the Wild Bill Hickok rodeo in Abilene, Kansas, who sells a limited edition of a new western design every year.

Silver belt buckles are very popular and buckles depicting eagles, patriotic flags, the Confederate Flag, and the cowboy riding the bronco to name a few, are popular buckles.

The Western Belt Buckle is both rustic and stylish and a good bet for any collector.