Hand Forged Belt Buckles
Meridian buckles are designed and hand-made on our western Montana farm. Please check out our many stock options below or feel free to contact us if you’re looking for something custom. Pieces are organized into plate-style belt buckles, prong style belt buckles; as well, we also offer belt straps made by a Montana master leather smith. In addition we offer custom belt buckles; the bottom of the page shows recent, custom pieces made for clients. Also, it may be helpful to hit the button below to get some additional information on buckle sizes, finishes and belt widths.
Thanks for visiting - please reach out with any questions!
Wrought Iron Buckles
Meridian’s wrought buckles are forged from 150-year-old wrought iron wagon tires from Winona Wagon Company covered wagons. Click on one of the listings below to learn more about these unique belt buckles.
This limited buckle combines our popular Barbed Wire and Wrought Buckles into a new and unique style. Barbed wire from the farm is forged over a wrought iron plate that is made from roughly 150 year old wrought iron forged down from a limited number of wagon tires left on our farm.
If you're unfamiliar, 'tires' on these wagons weren't rubber, but a wrought iron rim that attached to the circumference of a wooden spoked wheel. These tires are pretty robust, being about 1" thick and perhaps 3" wide. Specifically, our tires came from abandoned Winona Wagon Company wagons that were left on our property amongst a variety of other broken down vehicles from throughout the ages.
Winona Wagon Company operated from 1879 to 1925 and was one of the most prominent wagon makers of the time due to the craftsmanship, aesthetics and reliability of their products. At their peak, W.W.Co. produced roughly 50,000 wagons each year and were used across the west; hauling corn in Iowa, ore in Nevada, potatoes in Idaho and lumber in California.... and probably a lot of other places too! In 1925, wagon makers couldn't keep up with the advent of the automobile and wagon remains began to litter farms and ranches (like ours!) We have the remains of a couple of these wagons that were no doubt used for earlier settlement in western Montana.
The buckle is fairly simple, but has a unique story given the use and age of the metal (at this point, the iron was likely smelted in the 1870's and employed at WWCo in the 1880's). Wrought iron, when forged, can show its 'layers', which are just simply layers of iron apparent through its original manufacture. The layers present natural horizons and cracks in the finished piece that are unique, rustic and characteristic of wrought iron. Every buckle is different due to natural variations in the tires as well as the hand-forging process.
On the back is printed "WWCo" and "Circa 1880" in association with the metal's history. Available in black or with a subtle brass highlight over the barbed wire. Buckle size is available in our medium plate dimension (approx - 3.5” X 2”), but can made with a bale to fit either 1.25” or 1.5” belt widths.
Made to order . Pieces will vary.
One of two new Zia Designs. This larger Zia print is set into our unique and limited wrought plate which is forged down from 1800’s wagon wheel rims.
These buckles come in one size, 2.75” X 2.25”, and one color finish which is our new ‘gunmetal gray’. They can be made for either 1.5” or 1.25” width belts.
This unique and limited buckle is made from roughly 150 year old wrought iron forged down from a limited number of wagon tires left on our farm.
If you're unfamiliar, 'tires' on these wagons weren't rubber, but a wrought iron rim that attached to the circumference of a wooden spoked wheel. These tires are pretty robust, being about 1" thick and perhaps 3" wide. Specifically, our tires came from abandoned Winona Wagon Company wagons that were left on our property amongst a variety of other broken down vehicles from throughout the ages.
Winona Wagon Company operated from 1879 to 1925 and was one of the most prominent wagon makers of the time due to the craftsmanship, aesthetics and reliability of their products. At their peak, W.W.Co. produced roughly 50,000 wagons each year and were used across the west; hauling corn in Iowa, ore in Nevada, potatoes in Idaho and lumber in California.... and probably a lot of other places too! In 1925, wagon makers couldn't keep up with the advent of the automobile and wagon remains began to litter farms and ranches (like ours!) We have the remains of a couple of these wagons that were no doubt used for earlier settlement in western Montana.
The buckle is fairly simple, but has a unique story given the use and age of the metal (at this point, the iron was likely smelted in the 1870's and employed at WWCo in the 1880's). Wrought iron, when forged, can show its 'layers', which are just simply layers of iron apparent through its original manufacture. The layers present natural horizons and cracks in the finished piece that are unique, rustic and characteristic of wrought iron. Every buckle is different due to natural variations in the tires as well as the hand-forging process.
On the back is printed "WWCo" and "Circa 1880" in association with the metal's history. Available in Matte Black. Buckle size is available on in our smaller dimensions (3.5” X 1.9”), but can made with a bale to fit either 1.25” or 1.5” belt widths.
Barbed Wire Buckles
Barbed Wire Buckles
Our Barbed Wire Belt Buckle is by far our most popular buckle! We take barbed wire from the farm and repurpose it into the creation of these unique buckles. Scroll down to see a short video on the creation of our barbed wire buckles.
Each belt buckle is hand-crafted singularly or in small batches using traditional blacksmithing techniques. The result is a unique piece where no two buckles are the same. Our belt buckles are 100% designed and hand-forged in western Montana.
Please visit our Belt Buckle Page for more details on styles, sizes and finishes.
Contact us for a specific style or size, custom work or wholesale inquiries
Please Note: On buckle size and belt width, the smaller buckle can be made for either belt width, however the larger buckle can only be made for a 1.5” belt width.
Our classic barbed wire buckle with a crisp stamped heart. For those folks who are looking for a little more love in their belt buckle, look no further. We take barbed wire from the farm and repurpose it into the creation of these unique buckles. Scroll down to see a short video on the creation of our barbed wire buckles.
Each belt buckle is hand-crafted singularly or in small batches using traditional blacksmithing techniques. The result is a unique piece where no two buckles are the same. Our belt buckles are 100% designed and hand-forged in western Montana.
Please visit our Belt Buckle Page for more details on styles, sizes and finishes.
Contact us for a specific style or size, custom work or wholesale inquiries
Please Note: On buckle size and belt width, the smaller buckle can be made for either belt width, however the larger buckle can only be made for a 1.5” belt width.
Here our original barbed wire buckle gains a little more dimension by being set over carved ‘fence posts’. We take barbed wire from the farm and repurpose it into the creation of these unique buckles. Scroll down to see a short video on the creation of our barbed wire buckles.
Each belt buckle is hand-crafted singularly or in small batches using traditional blacksmithing techniques. The result is a unique piece where no two buckles are the same. Our belt buckles are 100% designed and hand-forged in western Montana.
Please visit our Belt Buckle Page for more details on styles, sizes and finishes.
Contact us for a specific style or size, custom work or wholesale inquiries
Please Note: On buckle size and belt width, the smaller buckle can be made for either belt width, however the larger buckle can only be made for a 1.5” belt width.
Similar to our original Barbed Wire Buckle, here we texture the plate with hammer blows to create unique contrast between the wire and the plate. We take barbed wire from the farm and repurpose it into the creation of these unique buckles. Scroll down to see a short video on the creation of our barbed wire buckles.
Each belt buckle is hand-crafted singularly or in small batches using traditional blacksmithing techniques. The result is a unique piece where no two buckles are the same. Our belt buckles are 100% designed and hand-forged in western Montana.
Please visit our Belt Buckle Page for more details on styles, sizes and finishes.
Contact us for a specific style or size, custom work or wholesale inquiries
Please Note: On buckle size and belt width, the smaller buckle can be made for either belt width, however the larger buckle can only be made for a 1.5” belt width.
Tool-Textured and Forged Buckle Designs
A new design at Meridian Forge. During forging, we fold steel plate over itself to create a series of overlapping creases. The result is a unique interplay of raised, overlapping lines on the belt buckle surface that creates an awesome texture and beautiful contrast. Similar to many of our other buckles, ‘The Folded’ is available in our two sizes (M and L) and can be made for 1.25” or 1.5” belt widths. Choose amongst 4 finishes: Matte Black (shown), Bright Brass Highlight (shown), Dark Brass Highlight and Oxidation Colors. Belt buckles are made to order and will vary from piece to piece.
The Aspen Forest Belt Buckle is made using a fullering tool across the belt buckle plate creating a variety of grooves. Altogether, they resemble the overlapping trunks of an aspen grove.
Each belt buckle is hand-crafted singularly or in small batches using traditional blacksmithing techniques. The result is a unique piece where no two buckles are the same. Our belt buckles are 100% designed and hand-forged in western Montana.
Please visit our Belt Buckle Page for more details on styles, sizes and finishes.
Contact us for a specific style or size, custom work or wholesale inquiries
Please Note: On buckle size and belt width, the smaller buckle can be made for either belt width, however the larger buckle can only be made for a 1.5” belt width.
Our Welded Panels Belt Buckle is created by welding strips of steel together and then forging the weld beads flat into the surrounding plate. This technique produces an interesting texture and contrast between the smooth steel plate and rough splatter of the ‘sloppy’ weld. Pick amongst 4 finishes (black, dark brass (copperish), bright brass and running of the oxidation colors of steel).
Each belt buckle is hand-crafted singularly or in small batches using traditional blacksmithing techniques. The result is a unique piece where no two buckles are the same. Our belt buckles are 100% designed and hand-forged in western Montana.
Please visit our Belt Buckle Page for more details on styles, sizes and finishes.
Contact us for a specific style or size, custom work or wholesale inquiries
Please Note: On buckle size and belt width, the smaller buckle can be made for either belt width, however the larger buckle can only be made for a 1.5” belt width.
Our Waves belt buckle pattern is forged using the edge of a heavy hand sledge to create overlapping semi-circles across the belt buckle plate.
Each belt buckle is hand-crafted singularly or in small batches using traditional blacksmithing techniques. The result is a unique piece where no two buckles are the same. Our belt buckles are 100% designed and hand-forged in western Montana.
Please visit our Belt Buckle Page for more details on styles, sizes and finishes.
Contact us for a specific style or size, custom work or wholesale inquiries
Please Note: On buckle size and belt width, the smaller buckle can be made for either belt width, however the larger buckle can only be made for a 1.5” belt width.
Our Crossroads buckle is made from round steel stock that is welded, twisted and then forged. Due to the forged nature of these buckles, pieces will vary. The piece is roughly 3.5” long X 2” wide and is finished in either black (not shown) or brass highlights. Also made for either 1.5” or 1.25” belt widths.
Contact us for a specific style or size, custom work or wholesale inquiries.
These unique and custom belt buckles celebrate mountain summits. I’ve enjoyed a lifetime of mountaineering pursuits and am excited to meld that passion with my blacksmith work. In essence, our plate style buckles are rendered with hand-chiseled elevation contours representing your summit or area of choice. The name and elevation of the peak are stamped on the backside of the buckle. These are custom pieces and are made to order. Please note that not all summit contour representations are possible to hand-chisel. Example photos show:
Sky Pilot Peak, Bitterroot Range, Montana
Truchas Peak, Sangre de Cristo Range, New Mexico
Sandia Crest, Sandia Mountains, New Mexico
Superstition Peak, Superstition Mountains, Arizona
Threlkeld Pass, Wind Rivers, Wyoming
Cooper Spur, Mt. Hood, Oregon
Stamped Designs
The ElkHorn Belt Buckle is made by carefully hot-stamping an elk-rack engraving into the belt buckle plate. The buckle is then further forged and fabricated to create a buckle that celebrates these amazing creatures.
Each belt buckle is hand-crafted singularly or in small batches using traditional blacksmithing techniques. The result is a unique piece where no two buckles are the same. Our belt buckles are 100% designed and hand-forged in western Montana.
Please visit our Belt Buckle Page for more details on styles, sizes and finishes.
Contact us for a specific style or size, custom work or wholesale inquiries
Please Note: On buckle size and belt width, the smaller buckle can be made for either belt width, however the larger buckle can only be made for a 1.5” belt width.
One of two new Zia Designs. This larger Zia print is set into a steel plate and bordered with pure copper rivets. This has become my new favorite, wear-all-the-time buckle.
These buckles come in one size 2.75” X 2.25” and one color finish which is our new ‘gunmetal gray’. They can be made for either 1.5” or 1.25” width belts.
Wolf Prints is made through careful hot-stamping into the belt buckle plate. The buckle is then further forged and fabricated to create a buckle that celebrates these our canid friends.
Each belt buckle is hand-crafted singularly or in small batches using traditional blacksmithing techniques. The result is a unique piece where no two buckles are the same. Our belt buckles are 100% designed and hand-forged in western Montana.
Please visit our Belt Buckle Page for more details on styles, sizes and finishes.
Contact us for a specific style or size, custom work or wholesale inquiries
Please Note: On buckle size and belt width, the smaller buckle can be made for either belt width, however the larger buckle can only be made for a 1.5” belt width.
We offer a few styles of Zia buckles in our two standard sizes and various finishes to honor our New Mexico Roots! These buckle styles include our:
Land of Enchantment Buckle | This is simply the NM Zia Symbol on our plate buckles
Zia Mountain Peaks | Here we hand carve some more jagged peaks representing the southern Sangre de Christo range and set the Zia as a rising sun.
Zia Rolling Hills | Similar to above, but with more rolling hills to represent the foothills of the Sandia Range, with a similar rising Zia sun.
Each belt buckle is hand-crafted in small batches using traditional blacksmithing techniques. The result is a unique piece where no two buckles are identical. Our belt buckles are 100% designed and hand-forged in western Montana.
Please visit our Belt Buckle Page for more details on styles, sizes and finishes.
Contact us for a specific style or size, custom work or wholesale inquiries.
Prong-Style Belt Buckles
A new belt buckle design at Meridian Forge. A robust prong buckle made by forge-welding overlapping steel rods. Interesting texture is presented at the intersections as well where the round bar is flattened out. It has a ‘skeletal’ element to it. Available in matte black or polished steel (shown) with a contrasting copper barb. Currently only made for 1.5” belts. Pieces are made to order and will vary.
This is our favorite prong-style buckle. Cross pean hammer marks along the edge result in an interesting, forged texture; accenting your belt choice. Choose from a black or brass finish. Made to fit either 1.5” or 1.25” belt widths. Typically made to order.
Each belt buckle is hand-crafted in small batches using traditional blacksmithing techniques. The result is a unique piece where no two buckles are identical. Our belt buckles are 100% designed and hand-forged in western Montana.
Please visit our Belt Buckle Page for more details on styles, sizes and finishes.
Contact us for a specific style or size, custom work or wholesale inquiries.
A hand-forged, pure copper belt buckle and copper keeper paired with a hand-made belt strap from our favorite local leathersmith. We’ve teamed up with Tipperary Leatherworks out of Kalispell, Montana to provide a 100% Montana-made, high-quality belt kit. These kits are available as 1.5” wide belts and are made to size. Belts are made from 8/9 oz. water buffalo hide and are available in two colors: ‘Crazy Horse’ and ‘Golden Brown’ . The buckle is set into the turnback with copper rivets.
A circular prong-style belt buckle textured with a ball peened hammer. We love this classic forged texture due to the ‘faceted’ effect it produces. Choose from a black or brass finish. Made to fit either 1.5” or 1.25” belt widths. Typically made to order.
Each belt buckle is hand-crafted in small batches using traditional blacksmithing techniques. The result is a unique piece where no two buckles are identical. Our belt buckles are 100% designed and hand-forged in western Montana.
Please visit our Belt Buckle Page for more details on styles, sizes and finishes.
Contact us for a specific style or size, custom work or wholesale inquiries.
Custom Belt Buckles
Custom Belt Buckles
Looking for something custom? We’re happy to help put together custom belt buckle designs or other custom metal work; some examples below. You can also check out our Corporate Gifts page for more custom design examples.
Sun C Ranch Belt Buckle.
Another style of buckle for the Yellowstone crew.
Wilson Peak Skyline Buckle with Telluride Pickaxe for Crossbow Leather now in Bozeman, Jackson and Telluride.
Joe’s buckle with Tipperary Golden Brown Strap
Another shot with the fish, and then a custom barbed wire buckle. Both paired with Tipperary belts.
Dave’s Elk Logo Buckle. Dave did a photo shoot at the farm - feel free to check out his great photos HERE.
Custom 3D V-Bar Ranch Belt Buckle
Custom bronze belt buckles made for our friends at Whiskey Leatherworks in Kennubunk, Maine.
Custom pure copper belt buckles made for our friends at Whiskey Leatherworks in Kennubunk, Maine.
Another shot of the Whiskey copper square buckles.
Maltese Cross laid over our Welded Panels buckle custom made for a multi-generation firefighter family. Service dates were printed on the back of each buckle.
Not a buckle, but a custom bolo tie. Similar to our most popular buckle, the design is barbed wire over wrought iron paired with a black, braided leather cord and forged steel tips.
A custom love knot buckle.
Forged bolo tips.
Another shot of Chris’ buckle. Carving was adopted from a photo of the Crazies outside of Livingston, Montana.
Jake’s Mountain Buckle.
Tolkien inspired buckle. Turns out you can find Rivendell outside of Middle Earth… Apparently it’s in Michigan.
Custom belt buckles for cast and crew of the popular ‘Yellowstone’ TV series.
A custom Mogen David buckle.
Wolf Prints Belt Buckle.
Joe’s hand-carved, Brown Trout Buckle
Custom, ‘Wolf-Mountain-Moon’ buckles with family initials.
Jon’s Lucky Seven Belt Buckle
Greg’s Custom Elkhorn Buckle
Not belt buckles! These are a set of custom, wolf-head sport-coat buttons made from silicon bronze.
Jeff’s Custom Stainless Steel ‘T’ Buckle
Custom barbed wire belt buckles made using original barbed wire from the family’s Montana ranch. Includes the ranch’s brand and year of inception.
Rob’s ‘R’ Brand buckle. Forged and fabricated overlay design on our stock steel plate.
Buckles and belts from a set of 30 hand-made for Kingsbury in Vermont.
Custom buckles made as end of season awards for Sundance Ski Patrols’ Rookie of the Year and Patroller of the Year. Their names and awards were printed on the back. Nice work!
A close up of the bolo.
Chris's Custom Crazy Mountain wedding buckles for himself and some groomsmen. Congrats Chris!
Custom commemorative belt buckles for the upcoming half-ironman event in Ruidoso, NM.
Custom buckles and belts commemorating 30 years of five friends taking an annual Montana fishing trip. Keep it up guys!
More on those Kingsbury buckles - really loved how they turned out.