American Militia Belt Rig With Cartridge Box and Bayonet Circa 1790-1815
$1,250.00
Dating roughly 1790-1815, this belt rig has both its cartridge box and original
bayonet and scabbard. The waist belt is 1 7/8 inches wide and measures about 41
inches long. It is set up to fasten on the inside with two small straps sewn about 15
inches from one end of the belt that would buckle into two small buckles on the
other end to secure it, the belt itself passing over the buckled straps and being
secured on the other side by two floating loops. One of these loops is positioned
between the arms of the bayonet frog, which are sewn in place near the end of the
belt. This would indicate the belt either used no belt plate or one that was merely
ornamental and slid over the end of the belt. The waist belt also has two small
vertical chapes holding buckles on the top, indicating the belt used a shoulder strap
of some sort.
The bayonet is a short, large bore carbine bayonet measuring a full inch in diameter
at the muzzle with a socket 2 7/8 inches long and 13 ¼ blade. The mortise is cut for
use on a bottom or a top stud, only the section cut for the bottom stud having the
last forward leg of the slot. The bayonet has many spots of standing rust but good
edge and point and would clean well. The scabbard is full length and pretty solid,
though a bit soft.
The cartridge box flap measures about 8 ½ inches across and extends down about 7
inches from the line of the rounded top to the bottom of the scalloped edge. The
exterior is decorated with four brass tacks at center. It uses flat metal hook and hasp
to close. Two belt loops mount it on the waist belt. The twenty-four hole block is set
up 7-8-9 and the slides are angled. The holes are bored for a very small caliber,
measuring only about .54 inch in diameter. Thus, despite the bayonet, it was
probably carried in a rifle company.
One of the inner fastening straps is missing. The other has a mouse chew near its
base and is tentatively hanging on. One of the small buckles on the other end is
missing. This is a rare militia rig.
Sold!