I'm in need of a cartridge belt to go with my trapdoor. I'm debating a military belt rather than my usual civilian belts. Any reason for a shooter to prefer WPG's 1881 belt over their 1885 belt?
Thanks,
Jim
Referring to the Indians, with whom he lived for a time, Charlie also stated, "The Indians had it all, and we took it away from them for thirty (dollars) a month and found (food)!" Or approximately what he said.
Quote from: Trailrider on August 03, 2022, 01:37:38 PM
Referring to the Indians, with whom he lived for a time, Charlie also stated, "The Indians had it all, and we took it away from them for thirty (dollars) a month and found (food)!" Or approximately what he said.
Hey Trailrider, I'm thinking you are responding to a different discussion??
Is this still a civilian impression? if so go for the "1885" (I think that's a misnomer, they were fielded earlier than that) with the sewn on leather ends. These were an expediency measure until the full Mills belts with the "C" closure/"H" buckle could be fielded, then were rapidly surplused out. I've seen several pictures of civilians wearing these belts, or ones much like them.
For a military impression, the "C" closure all web belts were fielded well into the 20th century, it's rare to see a civilian with one.
OK, dug out my copy of "American Military Belts and Related Equipments" variations on the leather ended belt was trialed 1876 to 1880 or so, fielded from 1881-1885 or so alongside several variations of the "H" buckle belt, until the H buckles and C closures had been fully adapted by 1885. after that the leather billeted belt was surplused out.