Affordable cool motorcycle belt buckles, custom belt buckles and belts.

 

The word buckle (from Latin buccula) is a clasp used for fastening two things together, such as the ends of a belt, or for retaining the end of a strap. Before the invention of the zipper, buckles were commonly used to fasten boots and other shoes.

Buckles were used in ancient Greece and Rome, particularly in military equipment. Buckles were first used commonly in the cheek strap of the Roman Galea, hence the word origin from the Latin bucca�cheek. Because of the simplicity and durability of the buckle , it became popular in harnesses and embroidery, especially in shoes and boots. It was commonly used as a typical clasp for clothing until the zipper was invented.

Actually, various forms of the buckles have been in use since the dawn of history, and antique specimens used by aristocracy and military can auction for thousands of dollars. But the buckle as a fashion accessory akin to costume jewelry dates back to the early 20th Century when Hollywood movies spread the images of properly accoutered cowboys far and wide.

Many of the nicest (and most valuable) buckles are made of silver, but even fairly recent brass pieces can be valuable. A good example is the 1974 Hesston. Made entirely of brass with the Hesston name stamped in large letters on the front, fewer than 15,000 were made. Today, collectors are willing to pay up to $1000+ for these rare specimens. With little work and investigation many valuable styles are out there just waiting to be discovered at garage sales, flea markets and used merchandise online sites such as Craigs List.

But the collector may not wish to limit himself to western-style hardware. Belt Buckles today span the worlds of fashion and personal interest. Have a favorite sport team, college, or occupation? Fond of an animal, comic-book character, or commercial brand? Want buckles that enhance your CoolGoth or Hip-Hop image, glitter with Rhinestones, or glow in the dark? They're all out there, waiting to be worn and/or collected by all kinds of people from all walks of life.

The most active secondary markets, however, are for Western and military belt buckles. For vintage pieces expect to pay more for quality workmanship, for specimens made of materials like silver, and for those with signatures or maker's marks. And, of course, buckles that have not been damaged are generally worth much more than those that have been badly scratched, cracked, or are missing parts.

Beltbuckles have the added benefit that, because of their relatively small size and generally durable materials, they are easy to store and display.

Collecting buckles can be an exciting and fun life long activity that can not only bring years of enjoyment but if done right can also be very profitable. Isn't it nice that belt buckles are good for more than helping to hold up pants?