The Orvis Shotshell Belt

I came across this belt the other day, and wow – did it bring back some memories…

I was a sophomore in college and stopped in the old Orvis Buckhead store one weekend when we were in Atlanta.  I was with my at-the-time girlfriend and her stepbrother, who pointed at the belt and said ‘You need one of these’.  We had recently been at a party at his fraternity, and it was out of this world.  He could have pointed at a Corvette and I would have bought it.

My introduction to the shotshell belt was very fratty, but it’s arguably one of the pieces in my wardrobe that has stood the test of time.  The typical outfit of chinos/5-pockets, a polo/OCBD, boots/loafers is the perfect pallet for the shotshell belt.  The older the better.  I typically wear one while I’m hunting, and I use the strap with an old engraved Colonel Littleton silver buckle.  I’ve actually had a couple of these, and they are all around here somewhere…

Orvis doesn’t carry the Federal shotshell option anymore.  I’m sure it’s a labor-intensive process to cut and affix the shell to the leather.  Tory still makes one, and you can get them locally at London Trading Company.

Got one?  Shoot me a picture or write me your memory and I’ll post it below.