Circa 1830 Militia Cartridge Belt Rig in Original Red Paint – ON HOLD

Circa 1830 Militia Cartridge Belt Rig in Original Red Paint. A gorgeous belt rig, and typical New England style.  The belt is 1 3/4 inches wide, with entire outward surface painted.  The belt never intended to use a buckle, but instead incorporated three loops to hold the two ends together with a small buckle, steadied by those loops.  The black leather cartridge box again is typical for this North East region, with a round brass button on the scolloped shape flap, and the flap has two scribe lines along the entire edge. The closure strap is present, but the old screw holding it in place is perhaps not so current with the age of the box. Belt loops holding firmly.  Leather on the flap is lightly crazed but fine for its age.  The wood block holds 24, .68 caliber cartridges. Stitching on both box and belt are sound.

The bayonet frog is sewn to the inside of the belt, and the opening for the bayonet suggest it would take the approximate size of a U.S. or contract bayonet with a maximum width of no more than 7/8 of an inch. To protect the floppy scabbard, I am using an early 1816 style bayonet. The leather of the scabbard show wear, but is sold, and stitching is fine until the very last inch where the bottom is broken away. It does not appear that there was every a drag on this scabbard.  The length of the scabbard from opening is 16 1/4 inches.

The New England Militia loved its color, and this really has a great look.