Sword belt or costume piece?

Came across this at a flea market. It looked like it had some age to it so I picked it up. The red leather back is worn in places. Unfortunately, it's missing one of the brass picks that hang from the chain. No markings.

I found a belt with a similar lion's head on Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/MILITARY-C...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

Looks theatrical to me. A fun piece.

 

could be part of a French full dress for parades and representaion.

http://www.bertrand-malvaux.com/en/p/8327/boucles-pour-ceinturon-de-cavalerie-premier-empire.html

https://www.ebay.fr/itm/253739336828?rmvSB=true

 

The more I look at it, the more I like it.

If it is French, that might explain the red leather backing: https://stewartsmilitaryantiques.co...t-lionhead-buckles.44428.27.military-antiques

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=masonic sword belt&tbm=isch

 

Cool! This very well might be one. I'll have to see if any of them match.
If it is a masonic sword belt, it'll go nicely displaced with my Knights of Pythias sword.

 

Here’s a kinda unrelated photo I ran across, just thought it was neat to see a Mason in full regalia with sword drawn! Guess he’s trying to get another lodge member to pay his dues.

 

I don't see one single lion head.

 

Yes, that page has only a tiny sampling of the thousands of Masonic branches that exist and have existed. Whatever the customer for that belt, you can be 97% certain it was made by a supplier of Masonic regalia. I’ll look in my book on Masonic swords when I get home, to see if lions are mentioned. Meanwhile, Mr. Google implies that there is some crossover between masonry and lions.

https://www.google.com/search?q=masonic symbol lion&tbm=isch

 

Knights of Pythias swords for certain ranks had lion’s head pommels. Whether the associated sword belts had lion buckles or not, IHNI. U might arrange a visit to a KP lodge and see if the members know anything.

 

would have to investigate if I find a lodge of these. looks all a bit Hollywood to me. real masons and odd fellows is the only ones around here. and Schlaraffia of course - the only ones that accept to be ridiculous themselves.

 

Closer look at a KP lion head sword

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Ho...:We0AAOSwJ-5aRUCt:sc:USPSPriority!22152!US!-1

 

Lions mentioned in 2nd para. Under “swords”

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_of_Pythias

 

yeah, but those lion heads are on practically every German sword of the 19th and early 20th c.. in better quality though.

https://www.google.ch/search?biw=11.....1c.1.64.img..0.1.113...0i30k1.0.oWRRZaD1IMc

https://www.google.ch/search?biw=11....0....0...1c.1.64.img..5.0.0....0.Z4MBHTWcAmA

eggsettera.

 

So you are saying the sword belt is more likely German?

 

Great information Spring !!! .. Joy.

 

don't twist my words, please. we are searching for a round classic lionhead known since classical times and often seen on fountains etc. - and not the pommel of Hollywood accoutrement swords for social clubs.
but it would be a good item for being looked into by one of your hot babes at "History Detectives". just imagine Elyse wearing it, wow....

 

https://www.google.ch/search?biw=11...0.854...0j35i39k1j0i67k1j0i19k1.0.cmh_OjO0Rhg

 

I understand completely but I have never seen a fountain with a lion-buckle belt. I should of course keep looking!

 

but you know what "Roman" means ? those were the guys shortly before Bush jun..