WWI Era Cartridge and Pistol Belts

[martin08]

When visiting yard sales and antique shops, it always pays to ask if there are any military items. I asked the owner of a shop yesterday, and he came out with a banana box full of belts.

The top is a Model 1912 Pistol belt with the smooth snap and second keeper (1917-1918). No maker mark indicates it was made by L.C.&C. Company or Plant Brothers.

The next four are the Mills Second Pattern M1903 Cartridge Belts, made by Mills Woven Cartridge Belt Co. of Worcester, MA. They have nine pockets with the rimless eagle snaps, produced before 1914 when the rimmed eagle snap was introduced. Many marks on the belts.

Next is an unidentified model, made of OD green canvas. It is also made by Mills, with twelve pockets and the rimmed eagle snaps. Likely built between the introduction of the rimmed eagle snaps in 1914 to 1917, when the lift dot snaps were introduced.

 

[Fixxah]

How much?

 

[martin08]

How much?

Looks like $9-1,100 worth of belts to me!

I didn't pay that much, though.

 

[majspud]

Maine must be different. I always ask here in MA, but only get abrupt "no's" or dirty looks.

T

 

[Another_David]

nice find. I look and ask for all sorts of stuff at yard sales.

 

[45collector]

Maine must be different. I always ask here in MA, but only get abrupt "no's" or dirty looks.

T

I have seen some pretty cool stuff at the Wellfleet flea market. Mortar shell lamps, Flak jackets, old bayonets, swords, stuff like that. I'm not really into collecting that kind of stuff but you never know what you're going to see there. My father was a wealth of knowledge in the militaria realm. He was a hardcore collector for well over 50 years. I used to go to gun shows, flea markets, yard sales and antique shops with him all over New England. I don't think there was anything you could have put in front of him that he couldn't identify. I sometimes wish I had payed more attention and learned more from him about this kind of stuff. All that knowledge died with him a little over 2 years ago. [sad2]

 

[majspud]

MA Flea markets and antique stores, yes. I've seen some very nice stuff in NH/VT antique stores and flea markets (my 1862 Tower) the past two weekends. My comment was reserved for yard sales. I've also had no luck with so-called estate sales, which could have been more promising.

T