Question About Money Cartridge Belt

[Buck Stinson]

Yes, I know I'm late in getting back to this post.  Been very busy and was starting to get ready for an antelope hunt/fishing trip.  Cliff is right about the number of loops on cartridge belts.  The earlier belts from approximately mid 1870 to 1890 usually had as many cartridge loops as they could sew between the billet and buckle end.  My reasoning for this, was probably due to the fact that in case of trouble, a good supply of ammo on the belt was better than taking a chance on your pony running off with it tucked away in your saddle bags.  As the years went by and populations grew, I've noticed fewer loops on later belts.  Most of my customers do NOT want the holster to cover any cartridge loops, but the fact is holsters did ride over top of a few cartridge loops on these earlier belts.  In my opinion, extra cartridge loops add very little noticeable weight. 

[Cliff Fendley]

Yes, I know I'm late in getting back to this post.  Been very busy and was starting to get ready for an antelope hunt/fishing trip.  Cliff is right about the number of loops on cartridge belts.  The earlier belts from approximately mid 1870 to 1890 usually had as many cartridge loops as they could sew between the billet and buckle end.  My reasoning for this, was probably due to the fact that in case of trouble, a good supply of ammo on the belt was better than taking a chance on your pony running off with it tucked away in your saddle bags.  As the years went by and populations grew, I've noticed fewer loops on later belts.  Most of my customers do NOT want the holster to cover any cartridge loops, but the fact is holsters did ride over top of a few cartridge loops on these earlier belts.  In my opinion, extra cartridge loops add very little noticeable weight.

I also agree with Buck on the number of loops making little noticeable weight. Yes it may feel heavy if you pick it up but when strapped around my waist and even as out of shape as I am a wide comfortable money belt isn't noticeable to me whether the loops are empty or full. The least noticeable way a person can carry something is by distributing it evenly around your waist.
I mean can your legs really tell the few ounces difference between a handful of cartridges and a full belt? I have a hard time seeing how that's noticeable. If it is how does one walk around with winter clothes on at all?

[Skeeter Lewis]

Money belts in Packing Iron seem to pack in as many loops as possible. I suppose if you were away from any township in the 19th century, you needed as much ammo as you could take. Nowadays, you don't need to fill all the loops.

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[Marshal Will Wingam]

Man, that's outstanding! You have really done it right. The shield and border are quite nice. Is that a makers stamp?

[Coffinmaker]

   Skeeter 

PLUS ONE for Marshall Will Wingam.  That is one outstanding cartridge belt.  I'm an Auld Phart with a bad hip and a full cartridge belt is more than I want to lug around.  I do however, agree with Cliff and Buck.  Once you have 25 - 30+ plus cartridges on the belt, an added 5 or six under the holster wouldn't matter atall.

I have always been amazed at the "Ranger" belts from the 19th century that displayed TWO FULL rows of ammunition and included some large bore rifle rounds.  That had to really wear a body out!!

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[Skeeter Lewis]

Thanks, pards. I suppose it was the poor old horse that had to bear the weight of the ammo.

[Rube Burrows]

Money belts in Packing Iron seem to pack in as many loops as possible. I suppose if you were away from any township in the 19th century, you needed as much ammo as you could take. Nowadays, you don't need to fill all the loops.

Man Skeeter, that is a beautiful rig for sure.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I recall reading that the loops under the holster were usually left empty.