|
1879 Trial Modification of 3rd Pat. 1876 Cartridge Belt
Price: 645
From my personal research collection, this near new specimen of this Early Indian War cartridge belt is the exact belt discussed and shown on pages 248 and 249 of AMERICAN MILITARY AND NAVAL BELTS 1812-1902. Initially modified with the three brass rings for a field trial of an experimental bayonet scabbard, when the trial was finished the belts returned to army stores and were issued to whomever requisitioned cartridge belts. So, in this way, these belts were both trial belts and saw standard issue.
The belt tongue is full-length and is brightly stamped "Watervliet Arsenal" and "A.R. Smith" (the inspector). There is a tiny notch out of the lower edge of the belt body but, otherwise, the belt appears unused. A key cartridge belt of the Early Indian War period. A photo of the back of the belt is available on request.
|
