CAVALRY BELT OF 1882 – AKA THE “SHERMAN” BELT –
COMPLETE WITH THE PISTOL CARTRIDGE AND REVOLVER HOLSTER
CARRIERS AND THE SABRE SLING STRAPS – AN EXCELLENT
SPECIMEN OF A SCARCE INDIAN WARS BELT: The
Model 1882 “Sherman” Cavalry Belt was introduced at the
insistence of General of the Army William T. Sherman in
response to what he regarded as unnecessary and
unauthorized modifications of the cartridge belts then
in use by the frontier army. Soldiers confronted with
carrying a variety of accoutrements and equipment that
was not designed to accommodate the wider cartridge
belts modified the accoutrements and the belts in order
to carry the equipment.
With the introduction of the 1881 Mills Woven Cartridge
Belt, Sherman’s fixation on the soldier executed
modifications was given voice in an order issued by the
general which specifically prohibited the carrying of
any material or equipment on the cartridge belts other
than cartridges. All other equipment such as holsters,
revolver ammunition, knives, and bayonets was to be
carried on the leather belts currently issued to the
troops. The infantry and other foot troops would wear
the standard Pattern 1874 Waist Belt, however for the
cavalry, and for non-commissioned officers armed with a
revolver, a new belt was designed - the Cavalry Belt of
1882 offered here.
As a pet project of the Chief of Staff of the Army,
there is no doubt the Ordnance Department took the
production of this new belt seriously, however the
surviving records indicate that the actual production
was fairly limited. The original orders called for Rock
Island Arsenal to produce 2500 of the belts, and Benicia
Arsenal 1000. As this total number would only have been
sufficient to outfit three and one half regiments of
cavalry, it is possible this quantity was intended to be
a trial of the new belt. By January of 1885, production
of the belts had been suspended and in June of that year
further production was discontinued. This limited
production, and subsequent consumption in field use, has
rendered these Cavalry Belts fairly scarce in decent
condition and complete with all of the components.
The Sherman Belt is a flat leather belt designed to be
worn under the Mills Woven Cartridge Belts. The
components include: A leather pistol ammunition carrier
attached to the belt with laces, and faced with a set of
Mills woven cartridge loops which bears a small brass
Anson Mills patent tag. Second, a detachable holster
carrier which passed through the belt loop on the
holster, made of leather and fitted with two brass flat
hooks that engage matching brass “D” rings suspended
from the bottom edge of the body of the belt. And
finally, in order for the belt to be complete and proper
for issue to cavalry troops, a pair of the standard
Model 1874 sabre straps attached to the second set of
“D” rings suspended from the bottom edge of the left
side of the belt – the front ring fitted with the flat
brass dismounted hook for the sabre.
This specimen is in excellent condition, showing little
sign of use and only minor evidence of wear due to
storage and age. Complete with all of the
components which appear to be original to the belt with
the identical color and finish, this is a very
attractive matched set. The body of the belt is
full length and supple with no hardened or weak points,
and retains a smooth bright finish overall with only
minor flaking of the original black dye at the billet
end of the belt. The front of the body of the belt
is legibly stamped "ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL" and the folded
billet around the brass box ring at the end of the belt
is stamped with the inspector’s initials “L.L.R.” for L.
L. Reger, one of the Master Harness Makers at Rock
Island Arsenal.
The original brass frame buckle is present as are all of
the brass “D” rings and the brass box ring at the end of
the belt. The Mills cartridge carrier is full form
with all the cartridge loops present, and though they
show some wear at the top edges, the loops hold their
shape. Three of the loops are parted for half
their length and one is completely open for its length -
all where the loops folded over in storage, and a
function of age and storage. The loops hold their
shape and appear intact when the belt is displayed.
There is some minor wear to the leather binding on the
edge of the woven facing. The carrier is attached
to the belt with the original black leather laces and
the brass Mills Belt Company tag is present and firmly
attached. The holster carrier is likewise in
excellent condition with a clear bright finish.
The matched pair of Model 1874 Sabre Straps show no wear
or age and are in “like new” condition. Normally
missing from these belts, and if so, virtually
impossible to replace, this set of straps being present
adds significantly to the value of this belt.
Cavalry “Sherman” Belts of 1882 have never been common,
particularly complete with all the components, and this
is an excellent example that would never need to
be upgraded. (0119) $2550
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