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SPANISH AMERICAN WAR OHIO NATIONAL GUARD GROUPING
– WOVEN CARTRIDGE BELT AND HAVERSACK: A
grouping from the Spanish American War era featuring a
Woven Looped Cartridge Belt with a Mills Pattern 1886
“OHIO” Belt Plate, and a Haversack stenciled “OHIO” with
complete with the Model 1885 Haversack Sling. The belt
and haversack make a good grouping which captures the
important role the state National Guard units played in
the national mobilization for the Spanish American War.
The tan Woven Single Loop Cartridge Belt, produced by
the Hulburt Brothers of New York City, is full length
and has a solid body with no weak points. The belt
features a Model 1887 Plate, designed and manufactured
by the Mills Company and adopted by the Ordnance
Department. These plates were not only produced with
the normally encountered “US”, but also with state
militia designations. This particular plate, produced
for the State of Ohio, is in like new condition
retaining much of the original high polished finish, has
the correct Mills Company stamping on the tongue, the
proper catch, and is full form with no misshaping or
damage. A number of the cartridge loops do show wear -
of the original 50 cartridge loops,
12 of the loops are
completely split open and a few others show partial
wear, but the remaining loops show only minor wear and
will still hold a cartridge. As can be seen in the
photo below, the belt will display well with cartridges
inserted in the loops.
Both captive brass ends are
present and firmly attached, and both retain the sizing
adjustment wire loops.
The front of this haversack is stenciled with a bold
“OHIO”, and a “7” surmounting a set of crossed rifles
with an “E” below the juncture of the rifles, indicating
this haversack was issued to a soldier in the 7TH
Infantry Regiment, Company E of the Ohio National
Guard. The “23” stenciled below the regimental marking
on the flap and on the front of the bag body are
regimental inventory numbers.
Despite the obvious evidence of issue, this Haversack is
in excellent condition, showing very little use and no
significant wear. The canvas is clean overall with only
minor soiling, and no wear along the edges. The
stenciled marking on the front cover is distinct and
legible, all of the seams are intact, all the pockets on
the interior of the bag are intact, the closing billet
is full length and intact, both brass suspension “D”
rings are present on the reverse as is the buckle on the
bottom seam. Both elk hide thongs for closing the
interior pocket on the cover flap are present and in
like new condition.
The full length leather sling is complete with both
hooks and both leather keepers, and while showing some
evidence of use and wear, is still very solid and the
leather remains pliable. The sling retains a partially
legible “ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL” maker’s stamp.
This set displays well together and is representative of
the significant numbers of state militia and National
Guard soldiers who responded to all of our nation’s call
to arms, a proud and long service that continues today.
SOLD
NOTE: The cartridges in the cartridge loops as
seen below are not included in the purchase of this
set.
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