Cartridge belt: 1881 or 1885?

[LongWalker]

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

[Trailrider]

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.

[Abilene]

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??

[Drydock]

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.

[Drydock]

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.