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PATTERN 1841 ENLISTED DRAGOON WHITE BUFF SABRE
BELT WITH ca. 1844 US OVAL PLATE EXCELLENT EXAMPLE
OF A MEXICAN WAR ERA SABRE BELT IN VERY NICE CONDITION:
As discussed on pages 153-154 of American Military
and Naval Belts 1812-1902, by R. Stephen Dorsey,
this Pattern 1841 Dragoon Sabre Belt has survived in
very nice condition with no damage and retaining overall
clean surfaces on the white buff leather.
These early dragoon belts were produced in relatively
low numbers, commensurate with the small number of
mounted soldiers in the army during that period, and
they experienced a high rate of attrition due to hard
use on the frontier, across the far west, and the
campaigns of the Mexican War. Those belts that were
still on hand in 1851 were converted per changes in the
armys uniform regulations which dictated that all of
the white leather accoutrements be dyed black. It is
known that certain units, in particular the exclusive
dragoon and mounted rifle regiments, resisted this
change in color, preferring the distinctive white buff
leather, but eventually the majority of the white buff
leather was either dyed black or was forced out of
service. Fortunately not all of the white buff leather
was dyed or destroyed, leaving a few choice examples
such as this belt to pass through the surplus system and
into modern collections.
As originally made in 1841, these belts were fitted with
an oval US plate which had three wires on the back for
attaching it to the belt, however in service the wires
were prone to breaking. In 1844 the plate on this belt
was introduced which featured two substantial round
headed studs for mounting on the left end of the belt
and a heavy hook for anchoring the plate on the right
end of the belt. It is worth noting that the correct
plate for the dragoon belts such as the one found on
this belt - were made with the two studs on the left
side of the plate, behind the S and the hook was on
the right side behind the U reversed from the
positioning of the studs and hook on the Infantry belt
plates. The reason for this arrangement on the dragoon
plate was due to the attachment points of the shoulder
strap and front sabre strap preventing the accoutrements
such as the cap pouch and carbine cartridge box from
being threaded on to the belt. The arrangement of the
dragoon plate left the right side of the belt clear to
mount the accoutrements.
The leather patch found on the reverse of this belt
plate was a feature dating back to the 1830s, intended
to prevent the plates lead fill from discoloring the
white buff belts. The patches were subject to constant
wear and tear in service and surviving examples of these
dragoon plates with this patch intact are quite scarce
to the point that many collectors are not aware that the
leather patches ever existed. Once the army changed
from white buff leather belts to black belts, this patch
was no longer necessary and it was eliminated. The
original leather patch on the reverse of this belt plate
is present and intact a definite added value and its
presence on this plate serves to confirm that it is
original to the white buff leather era.
The white buff leather of this belt has survived in
excellent condition, still showing a bright clean
surface without the heavy yellow aging typical to this
early white leather.
The leather is very soft
and supple, not having hardened as is so often found,
and the nap of the buff leather is still present.
The belt is full length
measuring 37 ½ long and 1 Ύ wide. All of the fittings
and chapes are present, full form and solidly stitched
to the body of the belt. The plate is in very good
condition with a very nice patina, showing some evidence
of wear to the raised US, but nothing that disfigures
the plate.
Both sabre straps are full length,
are complete with all four brass double-headed buttons,
and like the belt, both straps are supple with no breaks
or tears. The inside of the belt bears a hand-inked
numeral 13, likely the number of the soldier to whom
this belt was issued.
This belt is a very nice example
of the early Model 1841 Dragoon Sabre Belt from the era
of the Mexican War and the early expansion into the
American West, representative of those belts worn by the
Dragoons and Mounted Riflemen as they explored and
established forts and settlements in Texas, New Mexico
and California. This is a historically significant and
very attractive belt to display with your dragoon era
firearms and a Model 1840 Heavy Cavalry Sabre. (0505)
$2575
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