Belt, A Vintage, Buckle Kitsch, Horse Bucking, Vintage, 1141

Get rodeo ready with this kitschy vintage buckle!

This fun vintage find is a piece by Comstock Silversmiths – “America’s Oldest Western Silversmiths” – crafted in German silver with contrasting bronze accents. The etched silver rodeo arena is adorned with a bronzed bucking bronc rider and finished with an ornate bronze frame boasting “BIG PINEY JR. RODEO” at the top, and the buckle is complemented by a vintage leather strap. A charming bit of Western flair for your ‘fit!

HISTORY: Comstock Silversmiths is one of “America’s Oldest Western Silversmiths” and has been around for 120 years. The company began in San Francisco in 1886 when J.C. Irvine partnered with a man named Jachens and began making brass and silver conchos (and later badges) at the J.C. Irvine Company (later Irvine & Jachens) on Mission Street. In the 1920s, Christian Stegman bought the company, doing silverwork for saddles for Keyston Brothers and others until parade saddles fell out of vogue in the late 1950s. By 1971, Christian Stegman’s sons had divided the business, with Howard Stegman (James’ dad) pushing silver buckles instead of badges and moving his company, rechristened Comstock Silversmiths, to Carson City, Nevada, where it still is today. In 1993, James re-launched Comstock Heritage, and since then has produced some of America's finest silver and gold buckles.

• artist: Comstock Silversmiths
• hallmarks: COMSTOCK GERMAN SILVER SILVERSMITHS
• engraved "BIG PINEY JR. RODEO"
• materials: german silver, vintage leather strap
• measurements: buckle: 4" x 3", 33 1/2"" 
• weight: 245 grams
• vintage condition
• abrasions and surface wear commensurate with age
• nice patina with light oxidation
• wear from use
• vintage leather strap
• style: Belt-1141