50 Caliber Prairie Belt
Pattern 1876
This is a 2nd Pattern 1876, 50 Caliber Prairie Belt, specifically made to hold .50 caliber Government, rifle and carbine cartridges. It is a very scarce belt of which only two hundred (200) were manufactured.
They were requested by the ordnance officer at Ft. Abraham Lincoln, Department of Dakota, for issue to non-military personal in the department. e.g. scouts, teamsters, etc., who were issued .50-70 Springfields and various .50 caliber carbines that remained in service in the 1880’s.
Prairie Belt – Condition
This example is un-modified, in its original full length with 46 cartridge loops. It is marked “Waterviliet Arsenal” and “A.R. Smith” (inspector) on the front side belt tip and “J.R.” on the back side. The belt is 45 ¾” long overall (13” Tongue) x 2 ¼” wide and dark tan in color. All the cloth was originally tung oil varnished to give it water resistance. Overall, the belt is in very good condition with just a few partially split loops. In addition, the leather tongue billet is strong and supple with a few visible light cracks. This type of belt is illustrated in “American Military and Naval Belts, 1812-1902” by R. Stephen Dorsey, page 254.
History of the 1876 Prairie Belt
The 1876 cartridge belt was the first attempt of the Watervliet Arsenal to manufacture a cotton canvas “Prairie” Belt. The 1876 belt went through three different patterns of improvements as well as other experimental or prototype modifications for field use improvements, as is this one. The belts had issues with the cartridge loops fraying, unraveling, and becoming unusable to hold cartridges. Many efforts were made to keep the belts in service, ultimately being replaced in 1880 by the Mills Belt. Finding any of these 1876 Prairie Belts in good or better condition is a challenge. Un-modified belts in their original configuration are rare.
Very few of these 50 caliber belts survived the 1880’s Campaigns they were issued for. If you have a .50 Government rifle or carbine, this very scarce cartridge belt may be the only decent one you will find.
Clarks Antiques – Antique Gun Leather – 50 Caliber Prairie Belt – Price $2,250.00
Item #1828
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