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AMERICAN MILITARY AND NAVAL BELTS 1812-1902, by R.
S. Dorsey: The result of over 30 years
study and collecting, this book is the most
comprehensive work on the subject ever published.
Containing examples of SWORD BELTS; SABRE BELTS OF THE
DRAGOONS, CAVALRY AND MOUNTED ARTILLERY; WAIST BELTS;
SHOULDER BELTS and LOOPED AND NON-LOOPED CARTRIDGE
BELTS; this work is an indispensable collector’s guide
to the history, construction, materials, dimensions,
buckles and belt plates of this most important
accoutrement. This volume contains over 800 photographs
and illustrations, most of them in full color, and over
400 pages of text.
Belts from some of the finest private and public
collections in the country are shown in the detail
needed to identify and understand their place in
American history. Numerous overviews provide
explanations of the development and reasoning behind the
experimental, prototype and production belts and put
them into a perspective that allows collectors to
appreciate the belts in theirs and other collections.
Great attention was given to draw upon original army
documentation, correspondence, and specifications, never
before published in one volume.
In addition, for the first time, the history of the
MILLS WOVEN CARTRIDGE BELT COMPANY is also made
available to the many collectors who have these belts.
Read about Anson Mills, the man, and the creation of the
company. A major research effort presents a detailed
listing and discussion of the Mills contracts with the
Ordnance Department, allowing the collector, for the
first time, to understand the belts of the Indian War
and the Spanish American War. Mills’ relationship with
the WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS Co. is discussed as well
as the reasons behind the adoption of the several
different cartridge belt plates of the Indian War
Period. Many heretofore unanswered questions are
answered about the belts of MILLS, SPAULDING and
HULBERT. EXPERIMENTAL MILLS BELTS such as the Pattern
1902 and the Parkhurst Device Belts are shown and
discussed, quoting original army documents.
The introduction is written by Norm Flayderman, noted
museum consultant and antique militaria dealer. This is
an excellent reference and one that has long been needed
by museums, historians and collectors alike. $60
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