rustbucket Posted April 7, 2014 Share #1 Posted April 7, 2014 The last thing I need to round out my SAW Volunteer/NG uniform is a 45-70 belt. I've purchased two so far, one from Ebay and one from a dealer in SAW period items. Both turned out to be 30 caliber. I would prefer not to have to purchase and return a third belt, so can anyone tell me a way of identifying a 45-70 belt before purchasing it and trying to fit a cartridge in it? Thanks for your help. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted April 7, 2014 Share #2 Posted April 7, 2014 Hi Steve, I saw some SAW "Mills" belts for .30 Krag ammos and they were invariably made with 50 pairs of loops (one loop directly above another) for a total 100 loops. However, I do not know whether they were always this way. I do have some 45-70 Mills belts. One is a blue specimen fitted with the so-called "Whittemore" plate (cast bronze), the very last in the series of "H"-shaped plates - it was introduced in very late 1886, and could have seen the very last Indian Wars. But beyond this detail, I can assure you the belt itself is perfect for a SAW uniform - this variant of the classic Mills Pattern belt was also used by the US units being armed with 45-70 "Trapdoors" longarm in 1898-99. Quantity of loops is 45 in this belt. I post here some enlarged pics, hope it could help in identifying the main details. Franco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted April 7, 2014 Share #3 Posted April 7, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBookGuy Posted April 7, 2014 Share #4 Posted April 7, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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terryusmc Posted September 25, 2014 Share #6 Posted September 25, 2014 Great info on Mills belts and great photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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