Help Identify Belt or strap

[NorwichCadet]

This is definitely US Army, mid to late 1800s. The strap is black, tapered at the ends with hooks at both ends. It has the hooks to reduce length as I have seen in late 1800 belts. Perhaps Civil War? Indian War? Spanish American War? Perhaps a canteen strap? Can someone help identify it? THANKS,,,

[GIl Sanow]

Looks like a haversack strap -- about 1.5-2" wide?

 

G

[NorwichCadet]

At the widest it is 2" at narrow end it is 1 1/8".

[GIl Sanow]

Yep -- haversack.

 

G

[NorwichCadet]

What era and war used? THANKS

[GIl Sanow]

SAW era -- obsolete when '03 rifle webgear adopted. See New Romantic's displays.

 

G

[New Romantic]

Yup this is a haversack strap as Gil has said. The Army began using the strap for the haversack with the adoption of the 1878 blanket bag equipments. The canteen's strap was narrower. Around 1900 the haversack strap was to be used for both the haversack and canteen.

 

Here's a photo from one of my displays showing a circa 1899-1900 soldier during the Philippine Insurrection.

[New Romantic]

The canteen/ haversack straps per post 1900 regulations, here seen on a circa 1903 display.

 

For riflemen the straps were no longer used when the M1903 equipment was fielded. Others who were not issued rifle cartridge belts continued to use the straps, but in russet color.