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MODEL 1896 BLACK LEATHER PISTOL CARTRIDGE POUCH –
EARLY PRE-SPANISH AMERICAN WAR PRODUCTION WITHOUT DATE:
A Model 1896 Pistol Cartridge Pouch, manufactured in
black leather beginning the years preceding the onset of
the Spanish American War, featuring the arsenal stamping
without the date. In 1902 the army changed the leather
color from black to russet, and at that time the arsenal
began including the year date of manufacture in the
arsenal stamp.
These early production black leather Model 1896 Pistol
Cartridge Pouches were made for only a limited time,
those which were made were exposed to heavy use and they
did not survive in substantial numbers.
The front flap bears a legible “US” in the oval and the
reverse is stamped in the earlier style with the full
arsenal name “Rock Island Arsenal” and the inspector’s
initials “E.H.S”.
This pouch is in very good condition, still retaining a
shiny finish, featuring smooth leather overall and with
all the seams intact. These early pattern pouches were
not fitted with the wooden block drilled to accept
the.38 pistol cartridges as were the later pouches,
rather the entire packet of cartridges was placed in the
pouch. There is some minor crazing to the belt loops
and a minor separation at the fold from the top panel to
the front panel at the left hand corner.
Overall, this is a very attractive, well marked early
example of a scarce pouch to complete your .38 caliber
Spanish American War era pistol or sabre belt. (0304)
$275
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