Medieval buckles up to 20mm straps
- Available
Buckles for belts up to 20mm are the most commonly used size in medieval costume-making – they are equally suitable for narrow everyday belts, sword belts, bag fastenings and armour belts. In this category, you’ll find historically inspired belt buckles made from bronze, brass and zamak, as well as matching leather straps, ready to use straight away for your next re-enactment project or LARP outfit.
Why 20mm is the universal buckle size in the Middle Ages
The 20mm internal width corresponds to the most common historically documented strap width for everyday belts and harnesses. Museum finds from the High and Late Middle Ages show that narrow straps of this width were particularly widespread – they were cheaper to produce than wide belts, easier to fit with hardware and more versatile. A narrow strap could be worn both as a simple waist belt under a tabard and as a carrying strap for pouches and bags.
Today, 20mm is the de facto standard for LARP belts, sword hangers and bag straps. The buckle size can be combined directly with standard leather straps of this width – no trimming, no adjusting. Anyone working on several projects at once will benefit from the fact that a 20mm buckle works in almost any context: from a simple Viking belt to a richly decorated late medieval sword hanger.
Materials: a comparison of bronze, brass and zamak
| Material | Suitability | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Historical | Warm rose gold tone, naturally patinated over time; historically accurate for the Early and High Middle Ages; robust alloy with good corrosion resistance |
| Brass | Historical | More affordable alternative with a similar appearance; good corrosion protection; slightly yellowish hue; widely used in the hobby |
| Zamak (zinc alloy) | LARP | Allows for detailed moulds and complex decorative motifs; lighter than brass; frequently used for dragon and vine motifs; not historically critical |
For re-enactment groups that value historical accuracy, bronze and brass buckles are the first choice – both materials are archaeologically attested and develop a natural patina with use. Zamak buckles are particularly suitable where a decorative motif is the main focus and the choice of material is less strictly judged. When it comes to care: bronze and brass can be treated with standard metal polishes, whilst zamak is more sensitive to aggressive cleaning agents.
An overview of buckle types: from the High Middle Ages to the Late Middle Ages
Early & High Middle Ages
Simple rectangular or oval-shaped frame buckles dominate. The D-shaped buckle appears as a transitional form – a semi-circular housing with a straight dorsal side for the strap end. Minimal ornamentation, clear function. Ideal for early medieval and Viking-era garments.
High Middle Ages
From the 13th century onwards, the buckle with a rivet plate became the norm: the elongated housing is firmly sewn or riveted to the end of the strap. Secure fit, less slipping when worn. Can be combined with simple rivets from the range.
Late Middle Ages
Decorative buckles featuring dragon, Celtic or scroll motifs gained in popularity. Strap-end sets combined the buckle and belt end as a coordinated complete solution – a common museum find from this period.
Matching leather straps: vegetable-tanned and ready to combine
Vegetable-tanned cowhide is the historically authentic choice for medieval straps – the chrome tanning process simply did not exist in the Middle Ages. The leather straps for medieval belts in this category, with widths of 15mm and 20mm, are directly matched to the buckles on offer, so no cutting or time-consuming search for compatible parts is necessary.
The straps are available in natural brown, light brown, dark brown and black – depending on the shade your costume requires. The length of approx. 2 metres allows you to shorten them to the desired length. If you wish to attach a medieval pouch or belt bag, you will also find narrower 15mm straps here for shoulder and carrying straps. The combination of a matching buckle and the corresponding strap saves time when planning your equipment and guarantees a harmonious overall look.
What are buckles up to 20mm suitable for?
20mm buckles are the classic choice for narrow belt straps worn under tunics and cotte. In the High and Late Middle Ages, people often wore two belts one over the other – a wide hip belt and a narrower one over it. A simple frame buckle or a buckle with a rivet plate is the right choice here.
Weapon belts typically consist of a wide main strap and several narrower hanging straps for the scabbard and guard hook straps. These hanging straps are often 15–20mm wide and require correspondingly small buckles – both simple frame buckles and buckles with a strap tongue are commonly used here.
Fastenings on medieval bags and pouches often use buckles in the 20mm range. The narrow strap fits through the fastening tab and allows for a quick yet secure fastening – practical at the market when you need quick access to the contents.
Many medieval leather shoes are fastened with straps and buckles rather than laces. The typical strap width on historical shoe models is 10–20mm – exactly the range covered by this category.
Vambraces, greaves and shoulder plates are secured with leather straps, which are typically 15–20 mm wide. Here, we recommend buckles with pins made of sturdy brass or bronze, as these fastenings are subjected to heavy strain during re-enactment combat or on the tournament field. The medieval vambraces in our range can be combined directly with matching straps and buckles from this category.
20mm buckles are also versatile in a camping context: as fastenings on leather rucksacks, for securing rolled-up tent tarpaulins, or for adjusting carrying systems. Narrow buckles are lightweight and blend discreetly into the overall look.
Buying a buckle: what to look out for
The most important criterion when buying a belt buckle is that the internal dimensions match the strap width. A 20mm buckle fits straps up to 20mm wide – just one millimetre more and the strap will no longer feed through cleanly. Therefore, always check the specified internal dimensions in the product details.
The pin thickness is an often-overlooked feature: a thin zinc alloy pin can bend quickly with intensive market use or in exhibition combat. For applications involving frequent opening and closing, or for fastening armour, buckles with a solid brass pin are recommended. The surface finish – polished, aged and tanned, or blackened – should match the rest of the attire: a polished buckle looks out of place on a rustic Viking belt.
Buckles with a rivet plate require additional rivets or nails to be secured to the end of the strap – the relevant accessories for belt fittings are available in the shop. Also bear in mind the historical period: Celtic animal and vine motifs are archaeologically more commonly found in early and high medieval contexts. In a late medieval costume from the 15th century, they appear anachronistic – here, simple geometric shapes or the characteristic fittings of the late Gothic period are more appropriate. The buckles up to 15mm and buckles up to 30mm in the adjacent categories complement the range for narrower and wider straps.
Whether you’re lacing up a simple everyday belt for your next event or putting together a complete sword belt – with the right buckles and matching leather straps up to 20mm, you’ll have the basis for a harmonious, historically accurate outfit. Browse through the category and find your combination of buckle, strap tongue and leather strap – perfectly coordinated.
Frequently asked questions
A belt buckle with an internal width of 20mm is designed for straps that are exactly up to 20mm wide. Even one millimetre more and the strap will no longer fit neatly through the buckle housing. Therefore, always check the specified internal width before purchasing – and ensure that the strap thickness also matches the opening height of the buckle.
A simple frame buckle is threaded through the end of the strap and secured with the pin – the end of the strap remains loose. A buckle with a rivet plate has an extended housing that is firmly attached to the end of the strap using rivets or nails. This variant is more robust and was widely used from the 13th century onwards. For intensive use at markets or in re-enactment combat, the buckle with a rivet plate is the more reliable choice.
For re-enactment with high standards of authenticity, bronze and brass buckles are the first choice – both materials are attested by museum finds from the Early, High and Late Middle Ages. Zamak (zinc alloy) allows for finer ornamentation and is lighter, but is not a historical material. Zamak is perfectly acceptable for LARP use; for re-enactment groups with strict rules, it is better to choose bronze or brass.
Yes – the leather straps on offer are approx. 2 metres long and can be cut to the desired length using a sharp leather knife or scissors. Vegetable-tanned cowhide is easy to cut; a clean, straight cut is best achieved using a steel ruler as a guide. The cut edge can then be sealed with leather grease.
Celtic animal and vine motifs are more commonly found in an early and high medieval context in archaeology. In a late medieval garment from the 14th or 15th century, they appear anachronistic. Those who value historical accuracy would do better to choose simple frame or rivet-head buckles, or the characteristic fitting styles of the late Gothic period, for the late medieval era.