Cartridge Belts, 30 cal. Pocketed

The development of the Woven, Pocketed Cartridge belt was initiated with the adoption in 1895 of the Lee Navy 6mm bolt action repeating rifle. This rifle was loaded from metal charger clips which needs an efficient and secure means of carrying by the soldiers. With the adoption of the M1903 Springfield 30 caliber bolt action rifle development hit a fever pace. The next 15 years saw considerable design and production work that continued well into the 1950's. The majority of this work was performed by the Mills Woven Cartridge Belt Company as well as numerous other contractors who submitted a number of variations. Descriptions of each variant will be included at the end of the photos shared here.

M1903, 30 Cal. Cartridge Belt, Mills Woven Cartridge Belt Company

The M1903 belt was produced by Mills and Russell Manufacturing Company with interesting variations in the manufacturing process of both. This one-piece belt consisted of a wide flat web belt with nine pockets and cover flaps woven into it. The belt was secured by a new T shaped hook arrangement that proved to be very secure and easy to open and close. It was intended that the pockets would hold two clips of five rounds of 30-03 ammunition for a total of 90 rounds carried in the belt. Early testing found that the bottom of the pockets needed be reinforced with additional threads and slightly puckered to allow expansion. The reason behind this was that the round nosed bullets of the 30-03 had a tendency to accelerate wear on the webbing. The puckered bottoms reduced this although it became even more of an issue with the adoption of the pointed spitzer bullet used in the 30-06 cartridge adopted in 1906. The Pocket flaps were secured with Rimless Eagle snap sometimes incorrectly referred to as a cost snap. The Mills manufactured snap had a patent date stamped into the female side of the snap fitted to the flap, the pocket had the stud fitting. According to Army Specification these were intended to withstand 5000 opening and closing actions before deemed unserviceable. An interesting feature of the Mills produced belts was the narrow attachment fitting on each end of the belt. These fittings were marked with the patent dates of the belt. This fitting was the sole adjustment of the belt for sizing to the soldier. The Russell manufactured belts used a wide attachment which generated a lawsuit against them from the Mills Company…Mills lost the lawsuit. The belt featured here is a Mill manufactured M1903 belt.

M1907, 30 Cal. Cartridge Belt, Mills Woven Cartridge Belt Company

Finding deficiencies in the M1903 belt with the adoption of the 30-06 cartridge for the M1903 rifle, a change was made to accommodate. The result is the M1907 Cartridge Belt which in overall design is the same as the M1903 belt. The M1907 is a nine-pocket belt, featuring the T closure and hooked end adjustments. The adjustment fittings were widened to the same width of the belt rather than being narrow as in the M1903 belt. This fitting is marked with Mills Logo and patent dates. The pocket flaps were also fitted with rimless eagle snap closures. M1907 Cartridge belt was further reinforced at the bottom of each pocket, due to the pointed spitzer bullet the 30-06 cartridge was loaded with. An additional pocket divider was also fitted though it is unclear as to the benefit of this. It is thought this extra layer of webbing would provide some rigidity to the pocket and protect the ammunition from damage and corrosion. This variation of belt was also made by Russell Manufacturing Company. The belt featured here is a Mills manufactured M1907 belt with the reinforced puckered pocket bottoms and pocket dividers. It is fitted with the wide belt adjust fittings with are clearly marked with the Mills logo and Patent information, the belt is also stamped with the Mills Logo.

M1910 Cartridge Belt, Mills Woven Cartridge Belt Co., 10 Pocket, Three Piece, Rimless Eagle Closure

One of the most recognizable and influential cartridge belts of the 20th Century was the M1910 Cartridge belt. Yes, that is a bold statement, though it should be noted this design remained in military service well into the 1960’s until the adoption of M-14 and M-16 rifles and the pouch style magazine carriers. The M1910 Cartridge belt is a three-piece belt with two pieces fitted with five woven flap covered pockets. The third piece is a narrow adjusting strap that was fitted to the back of the pocketed pieces. A number of other pieces of equipment could be attached to the belt such as a canteen carrier, Dressing pouch, wire cutter carrier, entrenching tool carrier to name a few. A provision for load bearing suspenders was also incorporated into the belt design. This feature was also intended attachment to the M1910 haversack, which would also serve to compliment or become the load bearing suspenders. The bottom edge of the pocketed sections was fitting with two types of grommets, one side having around opening grommets while the other were oblong opening grommets. It is unclear as to the purpose of this difference. The early first pattern of this belt as manufactured by the Mills Company had some features from previous belt designs. The puckered and reinforced pocket bottoms were retained as were the rimless Eagle button flap closures. The rimless Eagle Snap Closures were used on the M1910 Cartridge belt from the beginning of its production in 1911 to 1914. The added pocket separator was removed and a narrow strip of cloth added to separate the two clips of ammunition. The strip was fitted with a domed fastener which attached above the stud on the pocket body. The narrow adjusting strap was fitted with similar hook fittings as seen on the M1903 Belt, these were marked with Mills logo and patent dates. The well-used belt featured here is a Mills manufactured belt fitted with ten pockets and rimless Eagle flap closures. There is a faint Crossed Rifle stamping as well a soldier’s name on the belt; no other stamped markings are present. The adjusting strap ends are clearly marked with the Mills Logo and patent dates.

M1910 Cartridge Belt, Mills Woven Cartridge Belt Co. 10 Pocket, Three Piece, Rimmed Eagle Closure

This variation of the Mills M1910 Cartridge belt followed exactly the same pattern as the previous belt. It retained the three-piece construction, two five pocket sections and narrow adjustment belt. Each pocket was fitted with and internal strip that was dome fastened. The most obvious difference was the Rimmed Eagle Snap Closures on each pocket. These belts were produced from 1914 to 1917 when the simpler Lift the Dot closure was adopted. The belt featured here is fitted with the Rimmed Eagle Snap closures and prominently marked with the Mill logo and date of January 1917. The adjusting strap ends are clearly marked with the Mills Logo and patent dates. This was the last month of Rimmed Eagle Snap closure production as after this all M1910 cartridge belts were made with the Lift the Dot closure.

M1910 Cartridge Belt, Mills Woven Cartridge Belt Co., 10 Pocket, Three Piece, Lift-the-Dot Closures

In January 1917 the Mills M1910 cartridge belt was altered to feature the new and greatly improved Lift the Dot pocket closure. This simple change was retained on all future M1910 Cartridge belts made by Mills and other contractors. The other contractors included L.C. Chase & Company (L.C.C. & Co.), Plant Bros.& Company (sometime seen P.B. & Co., or Plant Bros. & Co.) and Russell Manufacturing Co. (simple stamped Russell, or Russell in an oval) as well as Long Manufacturing (simply stamped Long). It has been observed that the Mills and Russell produced belts use the woven material construction and the puckered pocket bottoms. While the other contractors did away with this and used the Sewn Cotton belt construction method with reinforcing at the pocket bottoms. The inner retaining strip in each pocket was removed to simplify production.

M1910 Cartridge Belt, Russell Manufacturing Co., 10 Pocket, Three Piece, Lift the Dot Closure

At the beginning of World War One only two manufacturers were spooled up to produce the M1910 cartridge belt. The Mills Orndorff Company, Worcester Massachusetts., and the Russell Manufacturing Company of Middleton Connecticut. Both of these companies used the woven construction method for their belts, and shared common features. A three-piece design and Lift the Dot closures on the pocket flaps became the standard. Due to the increased demand for cartridge belts other manufacturers were contracted to produce the M1910 belt though in a unique sewn construction method as seen below.

The M1910 belt pictured here is made by the Russell Company and is clearly marked May 1918. The Russell manufactured belts were simply stamped Russell, or Russell in an oval with a date or year. It should be noted that careful examination of belts by this maker should be made to confirm the date of manufacture as many were made after the Armistice and are so marked.

Contractor Produced Sewn Belt Construction

As the immense demand for cartridge belts became unsustainable other manufacturers were contracted to produce the M1910 belt. A simplified construction method accepted by the Ordnance Department after considerable study. What, initially, was thought to be an inferior method of producing cartridge belts fulfilled a need for increased production and supply to the growing American Expeditionary Force. The examples here represent the sole primary contractors who produced M1910 belts for the U.S. Force serving in World War One. Note: the designation of these belts changed to the M1917

Cartridge Belt, Cal. 30, Dismounted, M1917, Plant Bros

The Plant Brothers and Company of Boston Massachusetts was one of the contractors producing equipment for the U.S Army. Not only did they make the cartridge belts but also other ammunition, magazine, first aid, packs to name a few. The most common marking used by the Plant Bros. was P.B. & Co. with a year of manufacture. One will also see Plant Bros. on the BAR magazine belts. The most striking difference between this and the Mills or Russell produced belt is the simple sewn on pocket design. Hidden from view is the added reinforcing to the bottom of the pocket, most likely in response to concerns of pocket wear from the pointed spitzer bullets of the 30-06 cartridge. The belt also was produced with Lift the Dot closures and no pocket separator strip. IMPROTANT NOTE HERE; The Plant Bros. belt are generally not marked on the back of the belt with maker data. Inside one of the pockets will be the P.B.&Co. with a Right or Left stamp at the bottom of the pocket. This type of marking procedure is unique to Plant Bros. M1917 Dismounted belts. The M1910 Cartridge belt pictured here is a P. B. & Co. marked and dated July 1918.

Cartridge Belt, Cal. 30, Dismounted, M1917, R.H. Long

Another contractor who produced the m1910 cartridge belt among other pieces of US military equipment was R.H. Long Company of Farmington Massachusetts. As with the Plant Bros. M1910 belt, Long used the sewn-on pocket design to simplify and speed up production. An interesting feature of the Long-produced belt is the reinforcing at the bottom of the pocket, as is commonly seen on all stitched construction belts. It is virtually impossible to determine which style of construction was the most durable. Though one can find well used belts on the market which have survived the vigor’s of not only military service but also years of neglect and poor storage conditions. The belt pictured here is simply stamped Long with month and year of production, in this case 12-17, December 1917.

Cartridge Belt, Cal. 30, Dismounted, M1917, L.C.C. & Co.

The final common contractor produced belt was made by the L.C. Chase & Co. of Watertown Massachusetts. As with the other contractor produced belts, L.C.C. & Co. used the stitched pockets design incorporating a reinforcing piece at eh bottom of the pockets. All other features of the blet are exactly the same as the previously noted contractors stitched pocket designed belts. In order to meet the demands of the rapidly growing U.S. Army destined for France, numerous contractors stepped up to augment production. The belt pictured here is clearly marked L.C.C. & Co. dated 9-18 as well as Inspector marked.

Cartridge Belt, Cal. 30, Mounted, M1914, Mills Woven Cartridge Belt Co.

This interesting belt is designated the Cartridge belt, Cal .30, Model of 1914 Mounted. Although in the Ordnance handbook revision dated July 2, 1914 it still refers to this belt as the M1910 Mounted. To avoid confusion, it is readily accepted as being named the aforementioned M1914 Mounted belt. To add a bit more confusion, when contractors began producing sewn belts as previously posted here, the nomenclature changed to Cartridge Belt, cal.30 M1917 Mounted. This designation was solely assigned to contractor produced belts. Variants of the M1914 mounted belt also were fitted with a Snap closure that would be paired with a snap closure on the Pistol magazine pouch. The belt seen here is made by Mills and featured the atypical Mills woven belt design commonly seen in the M1910 belts they produced, with one minor difference. Instead of the normal ten pockets seen in the three-piece M1910 belt; this belt is designed with only nine pockets with an empty space on the left side of the belt. This space was intended to mount an M1912 two pocket magazine pouch for the M1911 pistol, prior to the mounting of a snap closure on the back loop of the pouch. The belt was specially made for Mounted (Cavalry) troops and is not commonly seen. The belt pictured here is made by Mills and Is dated February 1917.

M1914 Cavalry Bandolier

After the failed testing of a Bandoleer by the Cavalry Board in 1910 to 1912 a new design was needed. The light cotton web material used in these early bandoleer versions did not withstand the rigors of use, especially with the adoption of the pointed projectile for the 30-06 cartridge. The new design was still a pocketed belt, though it now fitted with 12 clip pockets and three horizontal pockets intended to hold loose 45 ACP ammunition. Each pocket of the now accepted 1914 bandoleer would hold a single 5 round clip of 30-06 ammunition. Through to early 1917 the belt was produced with the Rimmed Eagle Snap Closures on all the rifle clip pockets as well as the three smaller 45 ACP pockets.

After January or February 1917 all bandoleers were then fitted with Lift the Dot closures. Early Mills variants of the bandoleer were produced in an olive drab dye that was changed to khaki in late 1916. A very unique and readily identifiable feature of the early bandoleer was the shape of the belt which was in an arc. A later variant, known as the 1918 bandoleer were more linear and “V” shaped, which apparently was primarily produced by Russell Mfg. Use of he Bandoleer was limited during World War One as mounted Cavalry units were re-assigned as Dismounted Cavalry or transitioned into Infantry units.

Cavalry Bandoleer, M1914, Mills Woven Cartridge Co. Rimmed Eagle Snaps

Cavalry Bandoleer, M1914, Mills, Lift the Dot Snaps

M1912, Pouch, Magazine, M1911 45 ACP Pistol

With the adoption of the M1911 45 ACP pistol a suitable means of carrying spare ammunition magazines was needed. The two pocket M1912 magazine pouch was developed and adopted. Initially intended to be attached to the M1912 Pistol Belt along with the M1912 Leather holster, it was further developed to be fitted to the Cavalry variant of the M1910 Cartridge belt. This style of magazine pouch was used until the late 1990's when the M1911 45 ACP pistol was replaced. The concept of a two pocket magazine pouch became the standard for the military, law enforcement and competitive shooters. This iconic design of World War One was produced in woven cotton, sewn canvas and leather by a number of manufacturers. As with the 30 Cal. Cartridge belt, contractors also produced the Magazine pouch with a simplified sewn construction and rounded flap design, this was designated the M1918 Magazine pouch.

Pouch, Magazine, M1912, Rimless Eagle Snap Closure

Pouch, Magazine, M1912, Rimmed Eagle Snap Closure

M1912 Magazine Pouch Mills Woven Cartridge Belt Co. Variants

M1912 Magazine Pouch, Russell Manufacturing Co.

An interesting construction method of the Russell Manufacturing Company is that they used the exact same design as the Mills produced pouches; in the same manner as the M1910 Cartridge Belts.

M1912 Magazine Pouch Contractor Variants, Sewn Construction

M1918, Revolver Cartridge pouch, R.H. Long, Sewn Construction

Designed to carry the half-moon 45 ACP clips used in the M1917 Colt or Smith & Wesson Revolvers. A very unique design with a very specific purpose in mind. have seen this m1918 pouch incorrectly referred to as the M1917. The revolvers design is the M1917. These are seen only in sewn construction as used by the contractor R.H. Long. Caution needs to exercised as there is a Reproduction marketed that is marked R.L. Long usually dated 10-18. Have seen this

M1910 Backpack

U.S. Army Signal Flags, World War One

Prior to the invention and wide spread use of military radio equipment, the signal was a common method of sending messages across battlefields. Two distinct flag designs were fielded from the Civil War through World War One. The Semaphore flags consisted of two flags of a diagonal red and white color. These were used to convey the alphabet in a multitude of flag movements. The other signal flag design was called the Wigwag and consisted of two flags with a red or white square center with a contrasting red or white outer border. These were used series of rapid movements that appears as if the signalman was "wagging" the flags about, thus the name "Wigwag"

Canvas Water Bucket, Collapsible

A simple heavy cotton canvas bucket was produced primarily to carry water, though may have been used for other purposes as well. First thought is that canvas would not contain water for long as it would soak through and start leaking profusely. Actually, the opposite occurred due to swelling of the cotton fibers which created a nearly leak-proof container. The bucket would contain roughly 3 gallons and had a rope reinforced bottom and heavy cotton web reinforced carry handle. The bucket featured here was made by the Kemper Thomas Company in April 1918, note the “4” is reversed on this example. The Kemper Thomas Company was located in Cincinnati Ohio and is listed in the Official U.S. Bulletins, List of purchase orders and contracts placed by the Ordnance Department of the U.S. Army dated September 28, 1918, as a supplier of Canvas water buckets.

Barbed Wire Screw Picket

Screw pickets (used as supports for barbed wire defenses) were introduced in 1915 as a replacement for timber posts. The French name for this type of "steel stake" was "queue de cochon" or pigtail. The World War I steel stake became known in the British Army as a "corkscrew picket". The corkscrew picket was made from a steel bar which had its bottom end bent into a spiral coil. It also had three loops or "eyes" (some even had four) formed, one at top, one at midway and one just above the corkscrew spiral. A stick or entrenching tool handle was inserted into the lower loop to drive the picket into the ground. The 'corkscrew' picket was screwed into the ground rather than hammered in as the timber posts had been, the hammering made loud noise, usually attracting enemy fire. Groups of soldiers known as wiring parties went out at night into no man's land to position these supports quickly and silently. They later strung the barbed wire through the loops to form a defensive wire obstacle as a protection for their trench line. This style of Picket was still being used in World War Two and even as late as the Vietnam War of the late 1960’s

The Picket featured here is an American Made Picket and is identified by the shorter “tail” at the top, the British made picket top was a few inches taller