Utility Belt observations

[Chuck Williams]

Hi All,

Like a lot of you I've been obsessing over the items in the Greg Jein auction and followed one item down the 'ol rabbit hole.

This utility belt buckle has some unique details that may possibly make it the first one made for the show.

I've learned that the catch is from an existing military buckle that was readily available from a couple of manufacturers and "almost" every bat-buckle made for the show followed this basic design going forward.
Like the Batgirl buckle they just attached the cosmetic buckle to a working one which is one of the reasons that makes me think it was the first.
The details in the design also make me think it was the first.

This buckle was used in the publicity stills of the Mr. Freeze episode (but not IN the episode) and the bat details, attachments and catch on the buckle always caught my attention.
It was used also for a standard buckle in the first Penguin episode and then as the huge working box belt through the first season. You can just make out the darker (hand drawn?) details in the screen caps.

Looks like the catch/receiver broke and was repaired along the way.

Fun new things to think about!

[Batfanman]

Interesting! Unless my eyes deceive me, did they outline actual bat-features on the buckle?

[BiffPow]

The bat features look engraved into the metal, to me.

[Chuck Williams]

Yes, they were going for a much more detailed "Bat" in the engraving.
The sillouette seems to be the same but the batwing details are carved and also (I believe) drawn in.
They probably saw the buckle in dailies and decided it wasn't worth the trouble.
Another reason I feel it may have been the first completed buckle.

[Lou Szabo]

Nice catch! It does look a bit like the 194x Bats used in the chapter cards?

[BiffPow]

Yes, it does, Lou!

[Chuck Williams]

Like all the Bat logos from wardrobe, it seems Mr. Kemp was free to make what ever he wanted.

The bat shape is the same as all the others but the ribs of the wings are defined in the engraving rather than the random engraved field inside the bat.
They also did some drawing on it which you can see they did on this buckle.See attached.

This one also looks like they tried to acid etched or paint the bat instead of engraving. Maybe it was one of the Mr. Freeze episode belts. I have no clue.

I think they wanted a "hero" belt with more detail and put a lot of time and effort into this one but it just doesnt read well enough on screen for the amount of work it took.
That or this was the first buckle they made and after seeing that it didn't read well , simplified the later builds.

The key thing is that no other belt has this attachment system on the buckle, but most are inspired by the hook and catch of this vintage buckle.

[Lou Szabo]

That belt buckle with the detailed Bat would be a nice item to have in the new Williams store, and I’d be willing to but the first one

[BiffPow]

As this was an early, likely the first, utility belt buckle, I wondered if it was the same buckle used in the audition costumes. I reviewed the audition video as best I could, but the bat on those buckles looks flat/etched and not detailed.

[Chuck Williams]

As this was an early, likely the first, utility belt buckle, I wondered if it was the same buckle used in the audition costumes. I reviewed the audition video as best I could, but the bat on those buckles looks flat/etched and not detailed.

Agreed... The spacing of the pinstripe looks good though.

The details could have been added over the top to spice it up.
The standard etching is not super deep so it would not be hard to punch in more detail.

Man I wish I could time travel!! LOL!

[BiffPow]

That makes sense. Adding the little extra details after the actors, costumes and sets were about ready for production.

[Lou Szabo]

Thank goodness they got rid of the “devil horns” on that cowl

[BiffPow]

Thank goodness they got rid of the “devil horns” on that cowl

“Who is that Badman, coming out of his cave with devilish technology, running around with his underwear showing in his tighty-tights, hiding his identity? Oh, look, are those little horns?

Whoooo could it be? Oh, I don’t know, hmmmm. Could it be…

[Lou Szabo]

[BiffPow]

I modified my initial post so that you supply the answer, Lou. Plays better that way!