The 1970s still saw widespread manufacturing throughout North America. There was no need for "bonded leather fibers" or "cast metal" in "brass-look" or "copper-look".

It was still financially profitable for ordinary consumer goods to use -genuine leather- and -solid brass-. These materials were proudly manufactured by union labour in companies where everyone could smoke on the job unless there was a specific production-related reason not to.

The King Kong buckle would still attract today, especially when it's worn low on the hips by a confident Plaid Stallion who knows he can make good on the boast.