Mills Belt

[Niederlander]

Gentlemen,
     Does anyone know if What Price Glory has any plans to make a double row Mills Belt?  If so, any time frame?

[Queasy Dillo]

Don't know about WPG. 

Eureka Arsenal lists one, though with the caveat that the shop's proprietor is away on vacation and may be for some time.

[River City John]

Don't know about WPG.  

Eureka Arsenal lists one, though with the caveat that the shop's proprietor is away on vacation and may be for some time.

That notice has been on there for several years, I believe, and the website has not been updated since 2005.  Long vacation.

RCJ

[Niederlander]

Jim Kanne at Eureka Arsenal used to make the best one out there, but I believe he got Tunnel Carpal(?) and had to give it up.  I'm hoping WPG will take up the mantle and make really nice ones.

[Grenadier]

I spoke with Jerry from WPG in November and he said that he definitely plans on making Mills belts but the single row models will be first. They will be in 45/70 and 30/40. It is interesting that they are being woven on machines from the period, so in essence they will be identical to the originals. 

[Baltimore Ed]

I have a big collection of Mills belts, both shotgun and cartridge. I usually use then as my pistol belts. They are so much more comfortable than leather belts. I will have to watch WPG to see what they come up with. That is neat that they are using the original machines, hope the use the correct brass fittings too.

[Queasy Dillo]

That notice has been on there for several years, I believe, and the website has not been updated since 2005.  Long vacation.

RCJ

I was afraid of that.  Found his website hunting a 1911-pattern campaign hat, which is proving an oddly elusive animal.  There's plenty of later models out there but not a whole lot that'll work for the Pershing's expedition and WWI. 

Go figure. 

[38OVI]

WPG also has the 1911 Hats.

[Queasy Dillo]

True, but theirs are the updated 1930s variant. 

Rumor says Juan's looking at duplicating the earlier hat sometime this year. 

[Grenadier]

Tim Bender is producing 1911 hats currently. There's also a rumour that he is retiring soon and will not be taking custom orders after that. You might want to give him a yell and see what he has.

[Queasy Dillo]

Don't now that one...I'll investigate. 

Appreciate it.   

[1961MJS]

Hi
His website is down and says he retired.
Later

[Queasy Dillo]

Hi
His website is down and says he retired.
Later

Yup.  Sent him an email earlier this year.  He's done. 

[RattlesnakeJack]

Dale, Coon Creek list a C-closure double-row Mills belt (in either tan or blue) for $69 - http://www.cooncreekoldwest.com/coon_html/Double_Loop_C.html

[Major 2]

Tim Bender is producing 1911 hats currently. There's also a rumour that he is retiring soon and will not be taking custom orders after that. You might want to give him a yell and see what he has.

+ 1 on Tim Bender, I have a PE Campaign hat, very happy with it

I have a few other Bender hats as well

[1860Henry]

As of right now, is anyone making a correct (entirely woven) Mills belt? Personally, I don't know of any. I look forward to seeing the WPG belts.

Chris

[Drydock]

I'm afraid not.  Though the ones with the sewn on loops are just as historic.  Both types were contracted over the years, though the full woven Mills pattern was the primary issue.  I too have high hopes for the WPG belts, I need a new cartridge belt myself.

[1860Henry]

Drydock- I do understand about what you are saying about the sewn on loops of the Mills belts- those are correct too (historically). I would just like to see a woven one (a bit earlier and of the first patterns).
I would also like to find a good reproduction of the 1876 prairie belt. I have asked someone about making one. I am still foggy on all their details however. Were they made as canvas around a leather belt?

[Pitspitr]

I would also like to find a good reproduction of the 1876 prairie belt. I have asked someone about making one. I am still foggy on all their details however. Were they made as canvas around a leather belt?

Check with El Paso Saddlery, or Tom Wilder at Williston, North Dakota

[Drydock]

This is the closest I've found to the M1876 as described in Stephen Dorsey's "American Military Belts and Related Equipment".

http://www.ssfirearms.com/proddetail.asp?prod=L63  It was doubled canvas with a sewn on leather tongue and clasp.  Yes, S&S has mislabeled it, what they have is the M1876 belt, 2nd variation.  (Wide vs the earlier and very rare Narrow version)

They also have the earlier Prairie belts, with both leather and canvas loops on the 1851 sword belt.