Used Swedish Black Leather Sam Browne Belt (w/Strap) from Sportsmans Guide

max2cam · 07-22-2002, 08:47 PM

I don't mean to offend the purists, but since vintage original German leather is too rare and collectable (and expensive) to wear with my repro black Luger holster and VOPO shooter, I've been looking around for a cheap but authentic looking alternative.

Well, it arrived today from Sportsmans Guide in the form of a Swedish black leather "Sam Browne" pistol belt with shoulder strap. (How did these things ever get the name "Sam Browne?")

Condition. It was advertised "good to very good" but I'd rate this one more "fair to good." The leather was dry and the belt had seen considerable use. However, the leather is not cracked and is sound (NOT weak or rotten) and several applications of neatsfoot oil is bringing it back to life. It is very useable and not falling apart. Stitching is sound, etc.

Styling: Paging thru a book on WWII German uniforms and equipment, I find this Swede belt rig to look VERY MUCH like some WWII German belts worn by officers with 2-prong belt buckle, straps on d-rings, stud loop keepers, etc. It will certainly serve me and my VOPO Luger well.

Fit: Okay. I have a 36-38 waist and this thing has a few inches to spare (fits 31-41" according to S.G.) The strap in its longest position allows the belt to ride somewhat too high to my taste, but that could be fixed by adding a different strap (which is plain leather with only a stud keeper thru a loop).

Price: The best part -- only $13 plus shipping. I got a used Swiss Alpenflage "smock" at the same time and that's in excellent shape with lots of pockets. Together with shipping the order was $34.

When I ordered mine a few days ago, they had 34 Swede belts on hand.

"Black Used Swede Sam Brn Belt"
#X2A-43407

Sportsmans Guide

lugerholsterrepair · 07-22-2002, 10:46 PM

Max, Neatsfoot oil is a leather killer. It was developed to weaken the fiber in leather for stiff shoe soles. I do not recomend it's use on any leather item , EVER! If any of you Forum members have a can of it laying around, I suggest you dispose of it in an enviromentally friendly and responsible way. There have been many words of advice written on the Forum about leather care. I recomend you track down the fine article Marvin wrote about leather care in the general information section. This is an important subject for most Luger collectors so they do not apply something to collector leather that will destroy it.

And congratulations on finding something like that! Hope it works out. Pose for a photo when you get it all together and post it! Thanks and good luck. Jerry Burney

John Sabato · 07-23-2002, 09:11 AM

Max2cam and Jerry,

Marvin's leather care article is still located under the General Information link in the left frame of the Lugerforum.com homepage.

So many folks have bookmarked the discussion forum and bypass the homepage that new folks don't even know it is there...

I recommend checking the homepage at least once a week if you don't enter the discussions through that portal.

max2cam · 07-23-2002, 11:27 AM

And here I thought neatsfoot is a godsend for old leather!

This stuff is ACTUALLY Fiebings' 4-way Leather Conditioner. It contains the "finest oils" but doesn't say what they are. I assumed it contains neatsfoot oil. But I used to use neatsfoot oil all the time and just used the term generically.

I'll check out that article. Thanks. I'm one guilty of skipping the home page and coming directly here.

The Swede rig is all right. It's not big enough to wear over an arctic parka for N. Wis. winter use, but I hear Lugers aren't so reliable in extreme cold anyway (time to use the .45 Govt. Model).

John Sabato · 07-23-2002, 12:58 PM

If you use a Luger in cold dry climates, try using powdered graphite for your lube... It isn't a liquid so it can't freese up. Just clean and dry your gun and use liberally on all the moving surfaces.

max2cam · 07-23-2002, 01:38 PM

Thanks for the tip on extreme cold weather shooting.

Maybe this winter when it's 20-30 below zero I'll do some testing of my own just to see....

I wonder if such extreme cold would damage the gun if fired then?

Doubs · 07-23-2002, 01:48 PM

[quote]Originally posted by max2cam:
<strong>Thanks for the tip on extreme cold weather shooting. Maybe this winter when it's 20-30 below zero I'll do some testing of my own just to see.... I wonder if such extreme cold would damage the gun if fired then?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Not likely. The Finns used them for years and I doubt that your weather is any colder than it gets in Finnland. The Russians also had some Lugers and I expect their reluctance to buy more was the cost more than functioning.

max2cam · 07-24-2002, 04:24 PM

I've cleaned up this Swede Sam Browne belt and modified it some. Like I said, it hung too high for me, so I found an old black leather belt that is a close match to the shoulder strap. Then, using a Swiss d-ring and my awl, I grafted a piece onto the rear end of the strap where it attaches to the belt. Now it is long enough to wear over any clothing, parka, etc. Looks good too.

With some black shoe polish I spiffed up the color and the whole thing came out looking good and also functional.

07-22-2002, 08:47 PM	#1
max2cam User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: USA Posts: 97 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Used Swedish Black Leather Sam Browne Belt (w/Strap) from Sportsmans Guide I don't mean to offend the purists, but since vintage original German leather is too rare and collectable (and expensive) to wear with my repro black Luger holster and VOPO shooter, I've been looking around for a cheap but authentic looking alternative. Well, it arrived today from Sportsmans Guide in the form of a Swedish black leather "Sam Browne" pistol belt with shoulder strap. (How did these things ever get the name "Sam Browne?") Condition. It was advertised "good to very good" but I'd rate this one more "fair to good." The leather was dry and the belt had seen considerable use. However, the leather is not cracked and is sound (NOT weak or rotten) and several applications of neatsfoot oil is bringing it back to life. It is very useable and not falling apart. Stitching is sound, etc. Styling: Paging thru a book on WWII German uniforms and equipment, I find this Swede belt rig to look VERY MUCH like some WWII German belts worn by officers with 2-prong belt buckle, straps on d-rings, stud loop keepers, etc. It will certainly serve me and my VOPO Luger well. Fit: Okay. I have a 36-38 waist and this thing has a few inches to spare (fits 31-41" according to S.G.) The strap in its longest position allows the belt to ride somewhat too high to my taste, but that could be fixed by adding a different strap (which is plain leather with only a stud keeper thru a loop). Price: The best part -- only $13 plus shipping. I got a used Swiss Alpenflage "smock" at the same time and that's in excellent shape with lots of pockets. Together with shipping the order was $34. When I ordered mine a few days ago, they had 34 Swede belts on hand. "Black Used Swede Sam Brn Belt" #X2A-43407 Sportsmans Guide

07-22-2002, 10:46 PM	#2
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,760 Thanks: 4,848 Thanked 3,099 Times in 1,426 Posts	Max, Neatsfoot oil is a leather killer. It was developed to weaken the fiber in leather for stiff shoe soles. I do not recomend it's use on any leather item , EVER! If any of you Forum members have a can of it laying around, I suggest you dispose of it in an enviromentally friendly and responsible way. There have been many words of advice written on the Forum about leather care. I recomend you track down the fine article Marvin wrote about leather care in the general information section. This is an important subject for most Luger collectors so they do not apply something to collector leather that will destroy it. And congratulations on finding something like that! Hope it works out. Pose for a photo when you get it all together and post it! Thanks and good luck. Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

07-23-2002, 09:11 AM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Max2cam and Jerry, Marvin's leather care article is still located under the General Information link in the left frame of the Lugerforum.com homepage. So many folks have bookmarked the discussion forum and bypass the homepage that new folks don't even know it is there... I recommend checking the homepage at least once a week if you don't enter the discussions through that portal. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

07-23-2002, 12:58 PM	#5
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	If you use a Luger in cold dry climates, try using powdered graphite for your lube... It isn't a liquid so it can't freese up. Just clean and dry your gun and use liberally on all the moving surfaces. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

07-23-2002, 11:27 AM	#4
max2cam User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: USA Posts: 97 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	And here I thought neatsfoot is a godsend for old leather! This stuff is ACTUALLY Fiebings' 4-way Leather Conditioner. It contains the "finest oils" but doesn't say what they are. I assumed it contains neatsfoot oil. But I used to use neatsfoot oil all the time and just used the term generically. I'll check out that article. Thanks. I'm one guilty of skipping the home page and coming directly here. The Swede rig is all right. It's not big enough to wear over an arctic parka for N. Wis. winter use, but I hear Lugers aren't so reliable in extreme cold anyway (time to use the .45 Govt. Model).

07-23-2002, 01:38 PM	#6
max2cam User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: USA Posts: 97 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the tip on extreme cold weather shooting. Maybe this winter when it's 20-30 below zero I'll do some testing of my own just to see.... I wonder if such extreme cold would damage the gun if fired then?

07-23-2002, 01:48 PM	#7
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 769 Thanked 1,611 Times in 525 Posts	[quote]Originally posted by max2cam: <strong>Thanks for the tip on extreme cold weather shooting. Maybe this winter when it's 20-30 below zero I'll do some testing of my own just to see.... I wonder if such extreme cold would damage the gun if fired then?</strong><hr></blockquote> Not likely. The Finns used them for years and I doubt that your weather is any colder than it gets in Finnland. The Russians also had some Lugers and I expect their reluctance to buy more was the cost more than functioning.

07-24-2002, 04:24 PM	#8
max2cam User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: USA Posts: 97 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've cleaned up this Swede Sam Browne belt and modified it some. Like I said, it hung too high for me, so I found an old black leather belt that is a close match to the shoulder strap. Then, using a Swiss d-ring and my awl, I grafted a piece onto the rear end of the strap where it attaches to the belt. Now it is long enough to wear over any clothing, parka, etc. Looks good too. With some black shoe polish I spiffed up the color and the whole thing came out looking good and also functional.