4554 4 PRE-1876 PRAIRIE BELTS OR FAIR WEATHER CHRISTIAN

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 900.00 USD
Estimated at 1,800.00 - 2,600.00 USD
BELTS. The need for a cartridge belt, prior to the M1876 prairie belt, gave rise to what is commonly called a “Fair Weather Christian belt”. Unfortunately, the origin of the term “Fair Weather Christian belt” has been lost over time but, hopefully, will be rediscovered by an avid researcher. The belt itself usually consists of an M1851 belt plate or an M1874 belt plate on a leather belt with sewn cartridge loops for the 45 cal. government rifle, carbine, and revolver. 1) This belt measures approx. 42” long with a Civil War era M1851 belt plate. The belt features 22 cartridge loops for a 45 cal. round with six loops on each end for a smaller cal. round, likely for a pistol. The original keeper does not match the buckle well, as is often seen in this style belt. CONDITION: belt remains reasonably pliable. The larger loops show light wear, but the smaller loops show heavy wear with flaking & losses. 2) This belt measures approx. 39 1/4" long with an Indian War era M1874 belt plate. The belt features 42 cartridge loops for a 45 cal. round. The keeper matches the buckle quite well. The back of the belt is stamped “42” along with several inspectors’ marks, including a bold “W.S”. This belt includes 42 wooden simulated 45 cal. cartridges for display purposes. CONDITION: this belt generally shows light wear with no notable damage. 3) This belt measures approx. 40 1/4” long with a Civil War era M1851 belt plate stamped “855” on the reverse. The belt features 38 cartridge loops for a 45 cal. round. The original keeper matches the buckle well. The reverse of the belt is marked “J. BOYD” & “WATERVLIET ARSENAL”. This belt includes 38 wooden simulated 45 cal. cartridges for display purposes. CONDITION: belt is quite pliable and shows light overall wear. 4) This belt measures approx. 39” overall and is likely a non-military belt. The belt features a brass frame buckle measuring 2” x 2 3/8” with a brass prong. The belt has 15 loops for a 45 cal. cartridge. There are no markings on the reverse or the front of the belt. This belt includes 13 wooden simulated 45 cal. cartridges for display purposes. CONDITION: the belt itself remains pliable with minor flexing. Two of the loops are broken, but the remaining 13 are reasonably solid. PROVENANCE: The Collection of Edward Scott Meadows. (02-22173/BF). $1,800-2,600.