Cloth Infantrymans Belts and Cartridge Box Slings?

[eal0321]

This is my first post here, but I am enjoyed reading the theads for awhile though. My question is how common were cloth infantrymans belts and cartridge box slings in the Army of Northern Virginia. I have only seen a few examples of these and was just wondering if anyone had more information on patterns or if they were widely used. Thanks in advance for any help.

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Thanks.

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Curt-Heinrich Schmidt, Moderator

[VMI88]

I don't have any specific information on how common painted cloth belts were in the ANV, but I can pass along some information that was related to me by Butch Myers. According to Butch, Richmond-produced belts went from leather in the early war, to cloth in the mid-war period, then back to leather again in the last year or so of the war. So a cloth belt would be perfectly acceptable for the right time and place, but a leather belt would give you more flexibility as it could be both early or late. Butch has done a massive amount of research on Confederate accouterments, especially ANV, so I tend to put a lot of faith in what he says.

[eal0321]

Thanks for the information, the reason I am in the process of making one myself and just want to make sure I can get as much information as I can to work with.

[TeamsterPhil]

If you are making one for yourself, I'd advise you to seek out as many surviving originals as you can view. Take measurements, observe the construction techniques and try to replicate what you have seen and measured. Short of that, a pattern developed by someone that has done all of these things would be preferable to just making a belt & cartridge box sling out of cloth using reproductions or your imagination as a pattern. There are plenty of hucksters out on skinner's row that will be glad to sell you undocumented junk at a cheap price - that's what we should all be trying to avoid.

Phil Campbell

[LWhite64]

I have to echo what Phil has said, you really have to look at an original or notes taken off of one, painted cloth belts were generally made of several layers of fabric, not just two sewn together. The extra layers added to the durability of the belt.

Lee

[eal0321]

Thats what I have noticed from the few I have been able to look at in person. If anyone knows where I could see more originals please post them, I am trying to see as many as possible to get a good idea of what I might be working with.

Eric,

This is your third unsigned post on this thread alone, but since your second was done before Curt's warning, I can't double fault you there. BUT, this post was made after his warning, so you can consider this your SECOND STRIKE.

Please rectify this if wish to have continued posting privileges on this forum.

Scott McKay, moderator
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