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TAN MILLS SINGLE LOOP SHOTGUN SHELL BELT WITH THE
1887 “DOG’S HEAD” PLATE: It is believed that
Mills manufactured these belts for the Winchester
Company for sale to the civilian hunter’s market and
this belt would be the perfect accessory to display with
any of the late 19th century shotguns
including any of the double barrel shotguns in use at
the time, as well as the slide action shotguns such as
the Marlin Model 1898; the Spencer Arms Model 1884,
1886, 1887, and the Spencer shotguns made by Bannerman –
Models 1890, 1894, 1896 and 1900; and the Winchester
Arms Models 1887, 1893, 1897, and 1901.
This Mills Woven Cartridge Belt has three red lines
woven into, and running the length of the tan or “stone”
colored webbing, and measuring 42” long, the belt
retains its full length. The belt retains 28 – 12 gauge
shotgun cartridge loops, the first two on the right side
having been intentionally cut away. Perhaps these two
loops were removed to allow space for a pistol holster
or a large belt knife sheath. The material shows some
evidence of use while retaining an even color with no
fading. The weave of the body is complete throughout
with no weak points or damage, with only minor wear at
the belt tips where the belt was passed through the
brass plate and catch belt slots. The edges of the
cartridge loops show some very minor wear in isolated
points, but nothing that affects the strength or
integrity of the loops.
There are two single
grommets on the top edge of the belt – one at the right
front and the other at the center of the back – for
attaching a single cross shoulder sling strap, and four
grommets along the right front lower edge of the belt
for attaching game hooks. All six of the grommets are
in place and show no signs of pulling through as so many
were prone to do.
The belt is complete with a very nice ca.1887 original
Mills Brass “H” plate embossed with the familiar Dog’s
Head and the matching catch stamped with the Mills
Company patent information.
Overall this a very solid belt for display with a
vintage shotgun. (0908) $175
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