What is this? A Cartridge Belt?

[Chipperman]

OK, I've had this belt for many years. It came with a box of WWII military items from a relative. It's a suede belt with four pockets. The buttons have American Eagles on them. It has absolutely no other markings or stamps that I can find. I assume it's a U.S. Military cartridge belt, but have not been able to find another one like it in my search. It certainly does not appear to be WWII era. I was thinking it may be WWI or slighly earlier.
Anyway, here's the pic. I've put a .30-06 cartridge there for size comparison.



Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Float Pilot]

Before the Springfield model of 1903,
the only other US made issued military rifle to take stripper clips (or chargers) was the Straight pull camming actioned, 6mm Lee Navy. It was issued to the Navy and Marines. It was made from 1896 until 1902. (Civilian models were made for a longer period of time.
Firing a 6mm 112 (from a box of Navy ammo) grain projectile at around 2,670 fps it was pretty zippy for the time and Winchester actually had to buy a more land for their test range since this round had what they considered a 600 yard point blank range but could reach to 1,000 yards.
The Marine and Navy were also isued machine guns in this caliber.

But I have only seen one ammo belt and it was a different color and had more pouches. But maybe your belt does match up to that rifle and round.

Or it could have been one of a few made by a local unit for use at competitions. I have a couple of those...

 

[armoredman]

I don't know, but it is very nice, classic looking, and a heck of an interesting hierloom.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Resembles an Enfield bandolier, perhaps the perfect accessory of a Savage made Enfield marked US Property?

 

[dfariswheel]

I "think" it's a Paymaster's money belt.

 

[oneshooter]

Money belt?

I believe that it is a WW1 US Army waterproof money belt.

This is from this site:
http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/twc/t...es/recordDetail.xsl&styleParams=recordId=1219
VERY NICE!!

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas

 

[Chipperman]

Wow, cool!
Thanks for the info.
I guess this makes my post OT now.

The link does not seem to have any info beyond the picture. Do you know how these belts were used (other than obviously carrying money)?

 

[rcmodel]

Carried under the shirt or pants, next to the body.

They could contain anything you didn't want to loose, have stolen, or otherwise share with others.

Money, I.D. papers, weekend pass, dirty pictures of French girls, Dear John letters, etc.

WWII ones were khaki color heavy cotton with zipper pockets.


rcmodel

 

[Chipperman]

Did everyone have these, or just people who were expected to carry money as part of their official job?

 

[rcmodel]

Far as I know, every GI did or could have one.
I still have my dads from WWII, and he was expected to fight japs in the Philippines while building B-29 runways, not carry money.

I don't think he had any money to carry anyway because he sent most all of it home to support my mom and the baby (me).

You got to realize that in any Band of Brothers, there are always a few who would steal the fillings out of your teeth if they got a chance.

His money belt contained some Jap paper money & coins, and some pictures of some Jap heads strung on a rope when I got it after his death. The Filipino's were paid a bounty for bringing in heads, and it appears they must have done quite a good job of it.


rcmodel

 

[MechAg94]

Yeah, I don't think they liked the Japanese very much.

 

[Chipperman]

Can't imagine why.

Thanks for the info, everyone!