Webbing belts

[Skeeter Lewis]

Were webbing belts made by Western saddlers or were the Mills belts the only ones?

[TN Mongo]

I make a lot of webbing belts and have a couple of books that have photos and information on them.  I have photos of belts with leather billets and then the Mills belts.  My books don't show maker's marks for belts with leather billets, but I would assume that other makers besides the Mills company produced them.  Mills did produce stuff for the civilian market.  The buckle with the "dog's head" was very popular.

[outrider]

Mongo,

It is my understanding that Gen. Anson Mills not only made the webb belts but also (designed the machinery) had the patten on the machinery they were made on.  It was also my understanding that the original mills belts were woven with the bullet loops in them...all one operation toeliminate sewing the loops.

Do a Wikipedia search on Anson Mills..interesting reading

[St. George]

Web belts were produced by Spaulding, as well - though the Mills Belt saw much wider use across the globe, thanks to adoption by the American and British armies.

As to the average saddler - what with all the available leather, I doubt there'd be a lot of call for webbing.

The belt with the leather billet was the 'Prairie Belt' - preceded by the 'Fair Weather Christian Belt' - seeing use and adoption during the Indian Wars.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[David Carrico]

Don't you know that Mills machine that wove the loops on the belt was sold as scrap at one time. Probably cleaned out a warehouse and no one knew what it was. Wouldn't that be worth something now!

[outrider]

David,
Your sure right on that one.....wish I knew how it operated......must have been a fascinating design

[TN Mongo]

We need to get the History Channel's "American Pickers" out looking for that machine.

[outrider]

Mongo,

Funny you bring up the American Pickers....old picker Frank reminds of you....could be your brother...