Mills Buckle

[Niederlander]

Gentlemen,
      Since I screwed up and didn't buy the books again, can someone tell me if and when the stamped Mills "U.S." buckle was used?

[St. George]

The design came about in 1884, and the Mills Belt stayed until the adoption of the M1903 Springfield, when the equipment changed.

Scouts Out!

[1961MJS]

Hi, the pix in cowboys in uniform shows  nobody wearing Mills buckles on there Mills Belts.

Later

[Drydock]

The buckles were rarely worn, usually only with the dress uniform, never in the field, where the simple "C" closure was preferred.  You will see them more often on the earlier .45-70 single row belts.

[Niederlander]

I'm curious, did the New York, Pennsylvania, etc. troops that were issued them wear them in Cuba?

[St. George]

They generally used the large, heavy wire 'C' closure and 'hooked' the web, much like the sling of an SMLE.

The belt plate affixes to that when needed.

Scouts Out!