McRostie Saddle-Stitched Belt

From Scotland.
Belts from a saddler.

McRostie of Glasgow, a saddlery founded in 1887, still manufactures harnesses, bridles and saddles. With the advent of motorised travel McRostie diversified by increasing their range to include belts and bags for the »horseless traveller« - and these are of superlative quality. You can see at a glance that they have been made using genuine saddlery tools - large bodkins, semi-circular knives, chisels, edging tools and pliers. And the leather used is typical saddle leather: 100% pit-tanned cowhide.

Saddle leather belts.

These belts are unique (take it from us - we have seen quite a few).

Stitched belt.

The thickness and workmanship of the leather is equivalent to that normally used in bridles. The stitched saddle leather belt comprises three different layers, whereby the 1.5 mm thick outer leather is stitched to the 4 mm thick leather lining. These belts have a total thickness of 7 mm. The edges are waxed and polished. The two leather belt loops have been firmly stitched into the outer layer of leather. The rectangular, sand-cast brass buckle is known as a »City of Westminster Buckle« or »West End Buckle«, both well-known in equestrian circles.