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MODEL 1872 CAVALRY SABRE BELT FOR THE 1872 TRIAL
BRACE SYSTEM VERY NICE BELT COMPLETE WITH BOTH SABER
STRAPS: Originally designed as part of the 1872
Trial Brace System, this Model 1872 Cavalry Sabre Belt
is probably the scarcest of the Indian War Cavalry
belts, and the most difficult to find in decent
condition due to the relatively low production and long
use on the frontier. While the shoulder straps of the
brace system were quickly abandoned by the troops in the
field and eventually deleted from the equipment
inventory after the brief 1872 Trials, the sabre belts
continued to be issued by the frugal army and used into
the 1880s.
This Model 1872 Cavalry Belt is complete with the two
leather sections that connect the belt plate and catch
to the front brass standing loops to which the front of
the brace system attached. These belts were made in two
sizes, marked on the front leather keepers 1 and 2
respectively. This belt is marked 1 on the left hand
keeper. The brass catch is stamped with an assembly
number 354, evidence that any available parts
available in the stores of Civil War surplus were
utilized well into the Indian War period. The balance
of the belts fittings: the brass squares and dismounted
hook; the two rear brass standing loops to which the
rear brace system straps attached; and the two sliding
leather keepers, are all present and intact. The belt
is full length and there are no tears or weak points.
The leather surface is in overall very good condition,
with minor crazing in the areas subjected to the chafing
by the various fittings. Completing the belt, and
certainly the most difficult component of these saber
belts to locate, are both of the leather saber straps,
the front, shorter strap and the longer rear strap. The
straps are a matched pair, full length, very solid and
both have nice clear finishes to the leather surfaces.
The Model 1872 Cavalry Belt is very difficult to find in
this condition and even more so to find one complete
with the sabre straps, and this belt is usually missing
from all but the most advanced accoutrement
collections. This is a very solid specimen and the
perfect belt to display with your Richards Conversion
Colt and Smith and Wesson American revolvers, the Model
1871 Remington Army Pistol, or any of
the 1871 Trial Cavalry Carbines. $1850.00
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