Booth's visit to the Surratt Boarding House after the assassination

[Laurie Verge]

I need an edumacation from some of our male fashionistas. In the opening post of this discussion, Bill mentions Frankie Mudd noticing the pistols "still strapped on and uncomfortable" for Booth. If men had not invented belts yet to hold up their pants, I'm assuming that they had not invented gun belts either. If this is the case, what "straps" was Mrs. Mudd seeing? Did they make gun belts and holsters before they made regular belts?

If the pistols were strapped on, then what are we arguing about? Wouldn't Booth have strapped them on before entering the theater? I'm so confused...