MODEL 1912 EXPERIMENTAL CAVALRY POCKETED CARTRIDGE
BELT –COMPLETE WITH THE RIFLE BELT RING FOR THE MODEL
1903 SPRINGFIELD RIFLE – AS ISSUED WITH THE MODEL 1912
ENLISTED MAN’S TRIAL SADDLE - COMPLETE AND IN EXCELLENT
“LIKE NEW” CONDITION: As issued with the Model
1912 Horse Equipments, this Model 1912 Experimental
Cavalry Pocketed Cartridge Belt was issued in
conjunction with the Model 1912 Rifle Carrier Boot to
carry the Model 1903 Springfield Rifle when the soldier
was mounted on the Model 1912 Enlisted Service Saddle.
The Model 1912 Rifle Belt Ring mounted on this pocketed
cartridge belt was a component of the unique, and
somewhat complicated, system of interrelated equipment
which defined the Model 1912 Trial Equipment. When the
belt was worn, the Rifle Belt Ring was located over the
soldier’s left hip – whether it was permanently attached
to these Model 1912 Pocketed Cartridge Belts which were
worn in the field, or the ring which was mounted on a
slide which was worn in garrison on the russet leather
Model 1904 Sabre Belt.
The Model 1912 Belt Ring
was designed to set at a right angle to the soldier’s
body when in use supporting the rifle, and when
dismounted, the soldier could fold the ring down against
his body and “out of the way”. When the soldier was
mounted, the rifle was carried upright, with the muzzle
passing through the ring until the forestock rested in
the leather padded belt ring, and butt stock of the
rifle was inserted into the Rifle Carrier Boot which was
attached to, and hung below, the left, or “near” side of
the saddle.
The strap depending from Belt Ring assembly was snapped
through the trigger guard, and with the rifle secured
with the forestock through the ring, the rifle was
effectively attached to the soldier’s body – for better
or worse. A retaining strap on the Rifle Boot kept the
boot upright until the soldier dismounted and as he
dismounted, the boot’s retaining strap would feed out;
allowing the boot to pivot away from the horse and the
butt stock of the rifle would be drawn out of the boot.
If you are somewhat confused at this point, you’re in
good company – the soldiers all must have experienced
the same bewilderment at the mind which was capable of
conceiving this system. Nonetheless, this method of
carrying the rifle was not only introduced for trial,
but apparently was used to considerable extent, most
notably during the Punitive Expedition into Mexico. To
fully appreciate how this system of equipment was
employed, see the photograph below of the mounted
soldier, taken from the 1916 US Army manual,
"Description and Directions For Use and Care of Cavalry
Equipment Model of 1912".
This Model 1912 Experimental Cavalry Pocketed Cartridge
Belt, manufactured by the Russell Manufacturing Company
of Middletown, Connecticut, is in excellent, “like new”
condition, and is complete with the Rifle Belt Ring, the
leather tool frog, and the original matching Model 1911
Magazine Pouch, also manufactured by Russell. The belt
exhibits no evidence of issue or wear. The pockets are
all complete with the flaps, fully functional
lift-the-dot snaps, and the clip retaining straps with
their respective snaps. All of the hardware retains the
original blackened finish and functions properly. The
belt retains the fully legible Russell Company
manufacturing ink stamps on the reverse of the Model
1911 Magazine Pouch and on the inside surface of the
flap on the front right hand rifle cartridge pocket –
“RUSSELL 1918”.
The Rifle Belt Ring assembly and the tool frog both
present in likewise new condition, showing no signs of
use or having been oiled – retaining a bright “pink”
color. The Belt Ring assembly is complete with a fully
functional folding metal support frame for the leather
lined ring, the full length security strap fitted with a
snap hook that attached to the trigger guard on the
rifle, and the small retention strap which secured the
ring assembly in the closed position – a piece normally
found broken and/or missing. The leather is strong and
pliable with a bright shiny surface.
This is an excellent specimen of a fairly scarce piece
of the Model 1912 Horse Equipment and would be a nice
addition to display with your early 20TH
Century cavalry equipment collection. (0413) $1350
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