by chute43 » Fri Nov 27, 2009 4:18 pm
I basically build three versions of the cobra rigger belt, one of which is the cobra gun belt which is without the attachment ring, I build that one for those who need just the belt without the attachment ring, who just need the stiff belt to serve as a stable platform for thigh rigs, etc. I still call them a riggers belt because that is kind of the industry standard, I actually call them the cobra gun belt
I then make the Riggers belt with attachment ring, these have remained popular for years with search and rescue crews, law enforcement. I built mine stiff so that they will serve dual purpose for a gun platform or an attachment point.
My cadillac model is the one I call the ERB , extended riggers belt, which the attachment point is on a doubled over 4" tab, I have built quite a few for German and Austrian SWAT teams. These are designed for those wearing a chest rig/body armor. By placing the attachment point away from the belt, it is visible while wearing gear. Without a visual point to clip into it is easy to clip into something that isnt full strength, like your belt loop. Place your self in worst case deal, raining cold, numb fingers, sleep deprived, you could easily make the mistake.
One thing I always try impress upon people is that no government or military body recognizes the use of a rigger belt as an acceptable attachment method.
As for the Riggers belt with the attachment point, sometimes you will hear the belts referred to as a back up belt, this comes from a time when guys would tie their own swiss seat harnesses (anyone who has every worn one knows they can become uncomfortable and when made from 1" tubular webbing over time it will sag like an old diaper), so the users would clip into a belt as a back up. The big companies have pushed this idea while we live in a era of the modern harnesses that will hold up cars.
Given that I do know having something to clip into just to stabilize yourself, they are a standard with SWAT teams and some military groups, the coyote brown belt pictured above will going Afghanistan in a few weeks.
The history of the riggers belt goes back to a time when the military first started having parachute riggers, parachute riggers would build belts for themselves from parachute harness webbing and spare buckles. They became recognized as a symbol of pride for their tradecraft. A friend of mine who was a Marine Corps parachute Rigger during OIF, wore his riggers belt ( like my smokejumper belt, single layer and very simple) under his Class A uniform as did the rest of his guys in his unit again as way of showing pride. They of course did this secretly. So if you were friends with a rigger you could get someone to make you one, and you can rest assured that some enterprising poor rigger sold a few. My friend who is a smokejumper at the Redding California Base made and sold belts like my smokejumper belt for years to make extra money, he was the one who hook me up with my initial set up, I know kick down belts to him for getting me Federal assignments during fire season.
I am sorry if you don’t have the belt you need, if you decide you need another belt with the attachment ring I will workout a good deal with you to make up for any poor communication on my part.
Let me know and I will take care of you
Thank you
kary
I am actually in the process of building myself a Cobra ERB in Navy blue for my EDC bag I carry at work. For canal rescues and industrial machinery extrications (which I average about 3 a year).
. Again, you are the best, I cant wait to wear it this weekend at a Federal CBRNE class Im attending 
