Follow-up on that ‘Fair Weather Christian’ cartridge belt

I don't know as I'll ever find the answer to this one -- why some of the post-Civil War cartridge belts used in the West were called "Fair Weather Christain" belts -- but I've got a couple of things to pass along on the matter:

1. Well, sir, or ma'am, a friend of mine who's one heck of a Western writer (probably a couple of hundred Western novels written and published), name of Frank Roderus, had never heard the term in relation to gun belts. His comment: "Fair weather Christian I've heard of. Cartridge belt I've heard of. But the two together ... nada." So, after Frank's email, I went back to Google, even tried Yahoo! Search, and found nothing I hadn't mentioned in my earlier post.

2. Then it occurred to me, one of the sites where I saw the belts named and described was that of master leather craftsman Will Ghormley. Surely, I thought, if Will makes replicas of the belt, as well as incredibly crafted holsters, saddles, and even artwork -- why, Will may be the one to clarify this.

Good fella that Will Ghormley. He responded to my original emails and a couple of other. I got to know him a bit, and I would highly recommend his website and quality leather goods. Go there immediately and take a good look around. (Side note: Will's gotta be a good guy -- he's a major Roy Rogers fan!)

I can't say that Will had a definitive answer to our question. But he had what sounds like a good one, and here it is:

I've not seen an adequate explanation on the wide-ranged usage of the term for the early, largely experimental, cartridge belts. I would assume it is a play on the notion of someone being a "fair weather Christian"; meaning, they are pious when there is no adversity, but when a storm comes, they
resort to any necessary "earthly" means to accommodate themselves.

"As it relates to cartridge belts, one may profess non-violent or peaceful intent, but goes armed and prepared, (understanding that wearing copious amounts of ammunition where it is readily available would be like carrying a semi-auto handgun today with a drum-fed clip), in case everything hits the fan.

"I believe it was most likely a social pun of the day, referring to the willingness and readiness to resort to vast amounts, (for the day), of fire power in response to any threatening situation. That's my best guess anyway. Like I'm fond of saying, 'I've got an answer for everything, even if I have to make it up!' "

My guess is that Will's pretty close. Not wanting to start any debates or obsess on this one, but does anybody else out there have any good ideas or sources to nail down the name's usage for cartridge belts? No? Then case closed.

Oh, and go take a look around Will Ghormley's terrific website, "WILL GHORMLEY - MAKER Old West Cowboy Leather." Order something nice while you're there. You won't regret it.

Then come back here and find something good to read by Frank Roderus. You won't regret that, either.

About Gary Speer

Gary Speer, aka "Old Hoppy," has been hanging around the Old West since way back when "Hoppy" meant "Hoppalong Cassady," the Clarence E. Mulford Western novel character transformed into a bona fide movie (and later TV) hero portrayed by William Boyd. Gary's "Old Hoppy" nickname came from fun loving friends and family members because of his love for the Old West -- and for all of the American Story in history.