Posted 10 years ago
Chrisnp
(310 items)
The Standard US Model 1894 cartridge belt has two rows of fifty cartridge loops, one on top of the other, so the soldier was provided with 100 rounds of ammo. This thing was not light when full! The buckle is a simple heavy steel wire bale.
The 1894 version for mounted use also holds 100 rounds of .30-40 Krag ammo, but includes six small double stacked loops at one end for an additional twelve rounds of .38 pistol ammo. The hook hanging down from the belt on the other side is for attaching the cavalry saber.
As a mounted trooper’s version of the cartridge belt, it would have been more likely to be used with the Krag carbine than the rifle I’ve shown it with, but that rifle was a carbine when I got the belt – sort of.
It would look great with the ammunition loops full. I was thinking it went around the waist but that would be very uncomfortable without a suspender due to the weight. Anyway was it worn around the waist or over a shoulder bandito style?
I considered filling the loops for the picture, but the over 100 year old webbing is a bit stiff in places. I have partly filled it in the past, and I do have 100 rounds of .30-40 here someplace, so I know how much it must have weighed.
Surprisingly it is a waist belt, not an over-the-shoulder rig. There are also grommets between some of the rifle loops for a pistol holster to be attached.
By the way, the pistol cartridge in the photo isn't the .38 Long Colt that would have been used with this belt, but it was the closest .38 I had.
Thanks for the love vetraio50, blunder, officialfuel, pw-collector and fortapache.
Oh, and vetraio50, I've got a special rifle I plan on posting next week that I think you'll be interested in.
I have this exact belt, it was my great-great grandfather's. Is it rare? Also, how valuable is this item? Thank you for posting this - Halee
I would call it scarce, partly because most of the old web equipment has mildewed and rotted away over the last 100+ years, and because it’s the cavalry version, and there’s usually less cavalry equipment than infantry equipment.
As to value, I have not tried to evaluate this item for some time, so I’m not certain. One recently sold on eBay for $689, but I’d check around the internet for a few more examples before accepting that as a the value. Remember, condition counts and so does the fact that it’s the cavalry model.
it's in perfect condition, its even still army green. thank you for the info :)