Rivets or stitches for a belt buckle mounting?

[Roger B]

So, my old belt shrunk & I have to make a new one. Imagine this; same top grain leather belt for 30 years and it shrunk at the same time my Jean's did!
Anyhow, which is more authentic,  copper rivets or stitching to mount the buckle? We're talking early 1800s time frame.
Roger B.

[msellers]

Purely going off what I have seen in James Rogers work, for 18th century it seems stitching is more correct. Howe3, with that said, I am very probably wrong.
Mike

[Mike from OK]

This is a good question.

When did rivets see usage common enough to be of note?

Mike

[Mike from OK]

On a side note...

I have witnessed videos of people putting each method to a strength test... Riveted leather vs stitched leather.

Strength-wise both methods held the leather together... Neither actually failed and let loose. But the rivets were distorted and bent so badly that they did not hold as tightly, and were "ugly" to look at.

I doubt you would ever put your belt through such an ordeal. And the overlap of most belts at the buckle would likely hide the rivets from plain view if you are worried about looking the part... Besides if someone is close enough to tell your belt is riveted, they'd better be wearing the ring I gave them.

Mike

[longcruise]

You might want to give strength a serious consideration given the way your stuff shrinks!

[Roger B]

This getting old thing ain't for sissies! I appreciate the advice, guys. I think I'll sew this one on.
Roger B.

[Pukka Bundook]

Roger,

I think you are right going with sewn.

When you think of it, all harness for horses was sewn rather than riveted, including tugs that carry a Lot of weight.
Even rifle slings were sewn rather than riveted up to and including many made in WW 11.
Yes, sewn is best!  :-)

[MuskratMike]

Remember: the only thing "golden" about the "golden years" is the color of your underwear! Oh and still being upright, shooting my longrifle and once in a while beating the younger guys with good eyes.

[James Rogers]

Rivets were used in Roman and  medieval times in conjunction with attachment plates to put some buckles on straps.
 For our periods I would agree with Richard and the others and stitch it on your belt. Just dont stitch across. Run your stitch lines up the edges.

[Mick C]

I would like to chime on on this as I have been having belt shrinkage issues as well. 

Beautiful belt, James.  Your work is always exceptional!...Mick C