Project Update! Belt 2.0

After a brief hiatus, we've resumed work on the main project! As mentioned in "The Project Begins" post, after we finished the prototype belt, we planned to make a second version and we completed this task over the weekend.

First, we acquired some leather from a vendor at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. We decided to create a longer belt hook with a wider opening for Belt version 2.0. We also forged several rivets and choose to leave the final version of the belt hook unpolished to give the piece a more worn and historical appearance.

Next, we forged the backing plates. However, we accidentally made the first set far too thin - thinner than a credit card! - because we wanted to try using smaller iron bars from the start. Unfortunately, these plates literally buckled under pressure, and we had to start over...that's why they call it experimental archaeology! Having learned from our mistakes, we forged another set of backing plates, about 1/8 inch thick (~3mm). Finally, we assembled the full set of belt hardware and tried it on for size. As with the prototype, this second version measures 33" in length. Based on skeletal evidence, most Iron Age Celts would be considered "smaller than average" by today's standards.

The first set of backing plates and rivets

The second set of backing plates (L) vs. the first

Belt Hooks on the Prototype (white) vs. Belt 2.0

The finished product!

Next up, we'll be trying our hand at forging the spears. Having never made a spear before, we bought one at the Bristol Renaissance Faire to use a reference piece. Stay tuned!