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CAVALRY MILLS SINGLE LOOP .30 CALIBER CARTRIDGE
BELT w/ MODEL 1886 “WHITTEMORE” PLATE – VERY SCARCE
ARSENAL MODIFIED BELT – VERY GOOD SPECIMEN OF AN UNUSUAL
BELT TO DISPLAY WITH YOUR KRAG CARBINE: This
interesting variant of the Mills .30 Caliber Cavalry
Looped Cartridge Belt is well documented on pages
290-291 of Dorsey’s American Military and Naval Belts
1812-1902. Described there as an arsenal
modification, the addition of two sets of 12 .38 caliber
revolver cartridge loops, a feature that identifies this
as a cavalry belt. Cavalry belts were produced in far
fewer numbers than the standard infantry belts, making
these cavalry belts one of the scarcer of the series of
Mills belts of the Spanish American War period.
The sets of revolver cartridge loops were manufactured
by Mills and supplied to the army’s arsenals where they
were affixed to the belts. The revolver cartridge loops
were generally applied to one or both ends of the belts,
abutted up against the first cartridge loop woven
integral to the belt, and attached with stitching or
rivets. The reason for these variations – especially in
light of the fact the work is believed to have been done
at the arsenals – is unknown.
The majority of the Mills belts so modified for the
cavalry were of the double loop pattern. This belt,
like the one described in the above cited reference and
one other that I am aware of, are of the single loop
variety, and further, instead of the standard 45 or 50
loop configurations which were the most common woven by
Mills, all three of these belts have 40 loops. This
pattern of belt was originally woven with the forty
loops and the count is not the result of some later
modification.
The final feature which sets this pattern of belt apart
from others of the same period are the eight grommets
arranged on the top edge of the belt. The grommets are
not spaced for any of the known Mills belt brass wire
hangers. However they do seem to be spaced - two which
are 5" apart on the center of the back; and three on
each side of the front of the belt - spaced 3" apart and
positioned forward of where the belt would pass over the
hip - so that if the belt was worn with these grommets
at the top edge, rather than the bottom edge, they would
be appropriately positioned as anchor points for a set
of suspenders.
While there is no record of suspenders being included
with any of the contracts let to Mills by the army, it
is recognized that the Mills Company was a creative
environment, and they were constantly adding features
and developing new woven products and metal fittings to
appeal to their customer base – whether the customers
yet knew they needed these improvements or not. Perhaps
the addition of these grommets was just such an
improvement, with a thought to suggest the suspenders to
the army at some point in the future, but the short
duration of the Spanish American War eclipsed the need
for any changes.
The belt is in overall very good condition, showing none
of the normal wear found to the edges of the cartridge
loops. All forty of the .30 caliber cartridge loops are
present, the same number on the belt shown in the above
noted reference. Both sets of the revolver cartridge
loops are complete and show no wear to the edges. The
blue webbing retains a strong, even dark blue color, and
the body of the belt shows no wear and no damage, save
for the one suspender mounting grommet which pulled out
on the left side of the belt. 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 right side captive end is also
stamped “G.T.” on one side and “57” on the other,
probably a unit or soldier identification. Completing
the belt is a very nice Model 1886 “Whittemore” Belt
Plate which is full form with a very pleasing patina.
This is a very nice specimen of one of the scarcer, and
more desirable, of the Mills cavalry cartridge belts and
it is one that would be difficult to upgrade. This belt
would be a key addition to a Spanish American War
collection, and one that would display well with your
Krag Carbine. (0221) $850
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