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WORLD WAR ONE MILLS EAGLE SNAP MEDICAL OFFICER’S
BELT – COMPLETE w/ MANY OF THE SCARCE CONTENTS – A VERY
NICE SPECIMEN: A scarce offering, this very nice
Mills Rimmed Eagle Snap Medical Officer’s Belt in almost
like new condition and has survived the passage of time
intact with many of the pieces of special medical
equipment and supplies that were originally carried in
the belt by the doctor.
The belt proper is complete with all the eyelets and
closures which still retain all of the original
blackened finish, the eagle snaps are all present,
retain their subdued finish and all function properly
with no fasteners pulled loose from the woven material.
The belt shows no wear or damage and all of the edges
are still crisp. The rear adjustment section of the
belt is ink stamped “MAY 1918” and the underside of the
flaps on both large pouches is stamped “MAY 1918”, and
all three dates are accompanied by the Mills Bullet
logo. Both of the blackened belt tips still bear the
legible Mills Company patent and logo stampings. The
only sign of wear is a pair of small holes with stain
halos on the reverse side, at the bottom, of the left
hand pocket. This is the pocket which carries the
medicine and pill vials, and apparently one of the vials
leaked its contents, staining the web material. The
holes are quite small and the stains are likewise small
and not noticeable when the belt is displayed.
The contents of the pockets are as follows:
Left Front Large Pouch: The pouch
contains six bakelite pill bottles, each complete with
its screw on lid, and each in very good condition with
no cracks or breaks.
Left Front Small Pouch: A Syringe
Case in the original OD green felt bag, complete with
the snap. The aluminum syringe case is marked “MED DEPT
U.S.A.” on the hinged lid and the case is full form with
no dents and the lid opens freely on the intact hinge.
The case contains the syringe – marked “TAG”, one of the
known manufacturers of these sets - , the two needle
assemblies, and the needle cleaning wires in the tube,
all cushioned with the original cotton batting in the
lid. The bottom of the green felt bag has some of the
characteristic wear from abrading against the bottom of
the web pocket, but the pouch is solid and full form.
Model 1910 Diagnostic Tag Pouch: Mounted
on the lower edge of the belt below the belt’s Left
Front Small Pouch, this Model 1910 Diagnostic Tag
Booklet Pouch matches the same condition as the belt.
The snaps retain much of their original blackened finish
and are fully functional with no wear or tearing. The
inside of the pouch flap is ink stamped “RH LONG 6 -
18”. The exterior of the flap is soldier decorated with
a hand applied painted red cross with a square border
around the cross.
Right Front Large Pouch: A canvas Medical
Officers Instrument Belt Case. The pouch has some minor
surface soiling, but is otherwise in excellent condition
with all seams intact, no wear or damage, and both snaps
intact and functional.
A full, unopened paper packet of 12 suture needles, the
packet dated with the 1917 contract information.
Right Front Small Pouch: A glass
bottle with a nickeled screw top which still retains the
cork washer.
This Medical Officer’s Belt is in very nice condition,
and features the majority of the correct and necessary
medical equipment and supplies. To find such a belt of
this quality with the contents intact is becoming
increasingly difficult and this specimen is one worthy
of adding to most collections. This is the quality of
belt that normally moves quietly from one collection to
the next with never seeing the light of day. (1022)
$1150
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