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MODEL 1912 MILLS CAVALRY BANDOLIERS w/ RIMMED EAGLE
SNAPS – DATED 1916 – UNIT ID’d – EXCELLENT SPECIMENS:
These are outstanding specimens of the relatively rare
Mills Model 1912 Cavalry Cartridge Bandolier with Rimmed
Eagle Snaps. In there original configuration, with no
modifications, these bandoliers have survived in
excellent condition, in spite of the obvious evidence of
issue to troopers in cavalry regiments.
Introduced in the early years of the 20th
Century, these bandoliers were exposed to extensive
service to include the Mexican Punitive Expedition and
World War One, and through the years they are known to
have been modified by removing the pistol ammunition
pockets which were replaced with the Model 1911 Magazine
Pouch. Generally regarded as rare in any condition on
the modern collector market, that these particular
bandoliers were obviously issued and survived service
with a cavalry regiment, yet survived intact without
modification and in such fine condition, is nothing
short of remarkable.
These Mills Model 1912 Bandoliers with the eagle snaps are anything but
common on the collector’s market, especially in this
condition, but nonetheless I have been fortunate enough
to acquire the specimens offered below. Each is
described separately with accompanying photographs.
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NO. 1
MODEL 1912 MILLS CAVALRY BANDOLIER w/ RIMMED
EAGLE SNAPS – DATED 1916 – UNIT ID’d – EXCELLENT
CONDITION: This Model 1912 Bandolier is
full length and in full form, with the proper curved
body, and the full length web billet on one end and the
proper frame friction buckle on the other. All of the
rifle cartridge pockets are present, as are the three
pistol ammunition pockets in the center of the
bandolier, and all of the pocket flaps are present.
The web material has an even green color and is clean
overall with only very minor points of soiling. All of
the rimmed eagle snaps are intact, function properly,
and there is no sign of the tearing that is common to
find around these snaps, nor is there any wear or
fraying to the edges of the pockets or flaps. The
original darkened finish is present on all the metal
fittings. The darkened brass billet strap is stamped on
both sides with all of the appropriate Mills Patent
information and dates, and the inside of the far left
cartridge pocket flap is brightly ink stamped “NOV”,
“1916” and “MILLS” inside the company’s bullet logo.
This bandolier is stenciled on the reverse of the pistol
ammunition pockets with unit applied inventory markings
– “303” over crossed sabres and the troop letter “E” and
the soldier number “78”. (0601) $1050
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NO. 2
MODEL 1912 MILLS CAVALRY BANDOLIER w/ RIMMED EAGLE SNAPS
– DATED 1916 – UNIT ID’d – EXCELLENT CONDITION:
This Model 1912 Bandolier is full length and in full
form, with the proper curved body, and the full length
web billet on one end and the proper frame friction
buckle on the other. All of the rifle cartridge pockets
are present, as are the three pistol ammunition pockets
in the center of the bandolier, and all of the pocket
flaps are present.
The web material
has an even green color and is clean overall with only
very minor points of soiling. All of the rimmed eagle
snaps are intact, function properly, and there is no
sign of the tearing that is common to find around these
snaps, nor is there any wear or fraying to the edges of
the pockets or flaps. The original darkened finish is
present on all the metal fittings. The darkened brass
billet strap is stamped on both sides with all of the
appropriate Mills Patent information and dates, and the
inside of the far left cartridge pocket flap is
brightly ink stamped “OCT”, “1916” and “MILLS” inside
the company’s bullet logo.
This bandolier is stenciled on the reverse with several
unit applied inventory markings – of most historic
significance is that this bandolier was issued to a
soldier in “M Troop” of the 17TH US Cavalry
Regiment. The 17TH is notable in that it was
formed at Ft. Bliss, El Paso, Texas in June of 1916 in
the midst of, and in direct response to, the Mexican
Punitive Expedition and Border Crisis.
This is a very nice and historically significant
specimen. (0305) $1150
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