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SPANISH AMERICAN WAR MILLS INFANTRY CARTRIDGE BELTS - .45 CALIBER, 45 LOOPS:  These are very nice examples of the Mills Infantry Rifle Cartridge Belts which were manufactured in response to the mobilization of regular army and state militia troops at the outbreak of the Spanish American War.  

As discussed on page 279-289 of American Military and Naval Belts 1812-1902 by Dorsey, these belts are fitted with the captive sheet brass ends with the brass wire adjustment loops.   

Through his extensive research into the contracts let by the government during the SAW period, Dorsey determined that all of these dark blue woven belts manufactured and supplied by Mills at the time of the SAW were fitted with their proprietary end pieces which were stamped with the Mills patent information. 

Additionally, he identified a second sub-group of these same dark blue Mills belts which had been manufactured by Mills, but had been delivered to the army in the late Indian War years.  According the pattern then in force during the Indian Wars, the belts were not fitted with the sheet brass ends, rather the ends were bound in a polished black cotton cloth.  The army, in anticipation of having to outfit the increased numbers of troops activated for the war, pulled these belts from their inventory and subcontracted with a commercial firm to fit them with brass ends which were obtained from a source other than Mills – possibly Spaulding, as these unmarked ends are very similar to the ends which are found on the belts manufactured by Spaulding.  These ends bear no markings, but are otherwise functionally the same.  

It is worth noting that these belts are found with cartridge loops of at least three basic lengths (with very minor differences caused by the weave) – 1 7/8”, 2”, 2 1/8”.  To my knowledge, there is no known explanation for this difference, but the cartridge loop lengths are well documented in the above cited reference.   

This is a nice selection of these Mills Belts which would display quite nicely with the arms and equipment of the Spanish American War era.  Each belt is individually described below with accompanying photographs.   

NOTE:  Digital photography creates some challenges when photographing dark blue material.  These belts retain a nice even rich dark blue color except where otherwise noted.    

 

NO. 1  MARKED MILLS SPANISH AMERICAN WAR INFANTRY CARTRIDGE BELT - .45 CALIBER, 45 LOOPS:  This belt is in very good condition, showing very little evidence of wear, with no damage, or soiling, only very minor fraying to the top edges of the cartridge loops.  The belt retains a nice even rich dark blue color.  All 45, 2 1/8” wide, cartridge loops are intact, and the belt is full length and full form.   

Both captive brass ends are present and firmly attached, and both are stamped with the patent information “PAT. MILLS & ORNDORFF; AUG 26:67; JULY 31:77; DEC. 28:80; MAR. 19:89; OCT 31:93” and “SEPT 11:94”.  The belt is complete with an original heavy cast brass Mills “C” closure and two original brass sheet brass sliding keepers.  SOLD  Please see additional belts listed below

 

NO. 2  UNMARKED MILLS SPANISH AMERICAN WAR INFANTRY CARTRIDGE BELT - .45 CALIBER, 45 LOOPS:  This belt is in excellent condition, showing no evidence of wear.  The belt retains a nice even rich dark blue color and there is no damage, soiling, or fraying to the cartridge loops.  All 45, 2” wide, cartridge loops are intact, and the belt is full length and full form.  The unmarked sheet brass belt ends are both present with the brass wire adjusting loops and the belt is complete with an original heavy cast brass Mills “C” closure.  (0210)  $175

 

NO. 3  UNMARKED MILLS SPANISH AMERICAN WAR INFANTRY CARTRIDGE BELT - .45 CALIBER, 45 LOOPS:  This belt is in very good  condition, showing no evidence of wear.  There is no damage, soiling, or fraying to the cartridge loops.  The belt retains an even dark blue color which has slightly faded due to age and storage.  All 45, 1 7/8” wide, cartridge loops are intact, and the belt is full length and full form.  The unmarked sheet brass belt ends are both present with the brass wire adjusting loops and the belt is complete with an original heavy cast brass Mills “C” closure and two of the round wire sliding keepers .  (0215)  $165

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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