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MODEL 1910 MILLS OFFICERS GARRISON SABRE BELT –
EXCELLENT CONDITION - COMPLETE WITH SABRE HANGER:
In the opinion of many collectors, the most attractive
and desirable of all of the 20th Century US
Army Sabre Belts, the Model 1910 Officers Garrison Sabre
Belt was the last of the sabre belts worn by the
officers when under arms and carrying out their
assignments during the course of the duty day. The
sabre belts which would follow were all intended for
wear with the dress uniform and then only for ceremonial
occasions.
Manufactured by the Mills Woven Belt Company, this belt
saw a very limited production in two apparent runs – the
first when the belt was initially introduced in the
original green color, and the second in 1917, evidently
with an eye to the increased numbers of officers who
would join the ranks in preparation for the United
States’ entry into World War One, which was produced in
khaki.
Contributing to the scarcity of specimens of these belts
which are found complete with the distinctive plate, and
the sabre chape and hanger, was the discontinuation of
the practice of carrying a sword or sabre for normal
duty assignments and the later adaptation of these
plates for the general officer pistol belts.
I am fortunate to have one each of the early and the
latter pattern Model 1910 Officers Belts to offer here.
Each is described below with accompanying photographs.
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NO.
1 MODEL 1910 MILLS OFFICERS
GARRISON SABRE BELT – GREEN - DATED 1915:
An very good specimen, this 1915 dated khaki belt is
complete with all the components. Showing a little
evidence of use and wear, the rear inside of the belt
body is stenciled “E. D. D.” and the rear surface of the
sabre chape is ink marked “E D”, both likely the
initials of the same officer and owner of this belt.
The tongue-in-wreath style Officer’s Plate with the
applied US Army coat of arms eagle surrounded by a
wreath of acanthus leaves retains 99% of its original
brilliant blue finish, with only very minimal wear to
the high points, highlighting the features. All of the
web components, to include the belt body, sabre hanger
and the sword chape, are clean, with a bright green
color showing no sign of fading, and only the slightest
of wear to the sabre straps. There
is a very slight difference in hue of green between the
belt and the sabre hangers which is far more apparent in
the photographs than it is in person - a vaguery of
digital photography. The first photo of the entire
belt shown below is an accurate representation of the
color of both the belt and hanger.
The inside of the belt body, the underside of the sabre
chape, and the reverse of one of the sabre straps are
properly marked with the “MILLS” cartridge logo ink
stamp. The belt body and the sabre chape has the proper
“1915” date stamp (no month was included in these
earlier versions). The bullet logo stamp on the sabre
strap is lighter, but is still discernable. The
darkened bronze belt tips bear the Mills markings: on
one side the Mills cartridge logo and “Patented Apr. 18,
1905”; and on the other “MADE BY THE MILLS WOVEN
CARTRIDGE BELT CO. WORCHESTER, MASS U.S.A.”. The
detachable sabre hanger is complete with all the
fittings, the straps are full length showing no signs of
wear, and both sabre snaps have the functional locking
rings.
This is a very nice specimen of a scarce belt and even
with the obvious signs of use, is one that has survived
in remarkable condition. (0425) $995
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NO.
2 MODEL 1910 MILLS OFFICERS
GARRISON SABRE BELT – KHAKI - DATED 1917: An
excellent specimen, this 1917 dated khaki belt is
complete with all the components.
The tongue-in-wreath style Officer’s Plate with the
applied US Army coat of arms eagle surrounded by a
wreath of acanthus leaves retains all of its original
brilliant blue finish, as do all the metal fittings. All of the web components, to
include the belt body, sabre hanger, the sword chape,
and sliding holster and/or pouch hanger are clean, with a bright khaki color showing no sign of
fading.
The the underside of the sabre
chape, the reverse of one of the sabre straps, and the
reverse of the equipment slide are
properly marked with a legible “MILLS” cartridge logo
ink stamp. The sabre hanger chape and the sabre
strap have the matching “MAY 1917” date stamp, and the
slide is date stamped "JAN 1917".
The darkened bronze belt tips bear the Mills markings:
on one side the Mills cartridge logo and “Patented Apr.
18, 1905”; and on the other “MADE BY THE MILLS WOVEN
CARTRIDGE BELT CO. WORCHESTER, MASS U.S.A.”. The
adjustment buckles on the sabre straps are also stamped
with the Mills Company logo and patent information. The
detachable sabre hanger is complete with all the
fittings, the straps are full length showing no signs of
wear, and both sabre snaps have the functional locking
rings.
This is a beautiful specimen of a scarce belt and one
that is difficult to locate in this exceptional
condition. (0809) $1200
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