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Special Interests - Groups & Societies => The Barracks => Topic started by: Niederlander on March 08, 2017, 08:18:10 PM

Title: Mills Belt
Post by: Niederlander on March 08, 2017, 08:18:10 PM
Gentlemen,
     Does anyone know if What Price Glory has any plans to make a double row Mills Belt?  If so, any time frame?
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Queasy Dillo on March 08, 2017, 08:37:31 PM
Don't know about WPG. 

Eureka Arsenal lists one, though with the caveat that the shop's proprietor is away on vacation and may be for some time.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: River City John on March 08, 2017, 08:55:43 PM
Don't know about WPG.  

Eureka Arsenal lists one, though with the caveat that the shop's proprietor is away on vacation and may be for some time.


That notice has been on there for several years, I believe, and the website has not been updated since 2005.  Long vacation.

RCJ
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Niederlander on March 08, 2017, 09:13:10 PM
Jim Kanne at Eureka Arsenal used to make the best one out there, but I believe he got Tunnel Carpal(?) and had to give it up.  I'm hoping WPG will take up the mantle and make really nice ones.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Grenadier on March 09, 2017, 06:42:59 AM
I spoke with Jerry from WPG in November and he said that he definitely plans on making Mills belts but the single row models will be first. They will be in 45/70 and 30/40. It is interesting that they are being woven on machines from the period, so in essence they will be identical to the originals. 
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Baltimore Ed on March 09, 2017, 09:05:11 AM
I have a big collection of Mills belts, both shotgun and cartridge. I usually use then as my pistol belts. They are so much more comfortable than leather belts. I will have to watch WPG to see what they come up with. That is neat that they are using the original machines, hope the use the correct brass fittings too.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Queasy Dillo on March 09, 2017, 12:16:11 PM

That notice has been on there for several years, I believe, and the website has not been updated since 2005.  Long vacation.

RCJ

I was afraid of that.  Found his website hunting a 1911-pattern campaign hat, which is proving an oddly elusive animal.  There's plenty of later models out there but not a whole lot that'll work for the Pershing's expedition and WWI. 

Go figure. 
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: 38OVI on March 09, 2017, 07:20:05 PM
WPG also has the 1911 Hats.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Queasy Dillo on March 09, 2017, 09:28:06 PM
True, but theirs are the updated 1930s variant. 

Rumor says Juan's looking at duplicating the earlier hat sometime this year. 
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Grenadier on March 10, 2017, 03:37:08 AM
Tim Bender is producing 1911 hats currently. There's also a rumour that he is retiring soon and will not be taking custom orders after that. You might want to give him a yell and see what he has.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Queasy Dillo on March 10, 2017, 10:24:22 AM
Don't now that one...I'll investigate. 

Appreciate it.   8)
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: 1961MJS on June 06, 2017, 06:23:07 PM
Hi
His website is down and says he retired.
Later
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Queasy Dillo on June 06, 2017, 07:07:07 PM
Hi
His website is down and says he retired.
Later


Yup.  Sent him an email earlier this year.  He's done. 
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: RattlesnakeJack on June 08, 2017, 12:39:17 AM
Dale, Coon Creek list a C-closure double-row Mills belt (in either tan or blue) for $69 - http://www.cooncreekoldwest.com/coon_html/Double_Loop_C.html (http://www.cooncreekoldwest.com/coon_html/Double_Loop_C.html)
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Major 2 on June 09, 2017, 05:55:31 AM
Tim Bender is producing 1911 hats currently. There's also a rumour that he is retiring soon and will not be taking custom orders after that. You might want to give him a yell and see what he has.

+ 1 on Tim Bender, I have a PE Campaign hat, very happy with it

I have a few other Bender hats as well
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: 1860Henry on July 02, 2017, 07:38:35 PM
As of right now, is anyone making a correct (entirely woven) Mills belt? Personally, I don't know of any. I look forward to seeing the WPG belts.

Chris
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Drydock on July 02, 2017, 09:20:47 PM
I'm afraid not.  Though the ones with the sewn on loops are just as historic.  Both types were contracted over the years, though the full woven Mills pattern was the primary issue.  I too have high hopes for the WPG belts, I need a new cartridge belt myself.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: 1860Henry on July 02, 2017, 10:49:14 PM
Drydock- I do understand about what you are saying about the sewn on loops of the Mills belts- those are correct too (historically). I would just like to see a woven one (a bit earlier and of the first patterns).
I would also like to find a good reproduction of the 1876 prairie belt. I have asked someone about making one. I am still foggy on all their details however. Were they made as canvas around a leather belt?
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Pitspitr on July 03, 2017, 06:57:10 AM

I would also like to find a good reproduction of the 1876 prairie belt. I have asked someone about making one. I am still foggy on all their details however. Were they made as canvas around a leather belt?
Check with El Paso Saddlery, or Tom Wilder at Williston, North Dakota
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Drydock on July 03, 2017, 12:27:47 PM
This is the closest I've found to the M1876 as described in Stephen Dorsey's "American Military Belts and Related Equipment".

http://www.ssfirearms.com/proddetail.asp?prod=L63  It was doubled canvas with a sewn on leather tongue and clasp.  Yes, S&S has mislabeled it, what they have is the M1876 belt, 2nd variation.  (Wide vs the earlier and very rare Narrow version)

They also have the earlier Prairie belts, with both leather and canvas loops on the 1851 sword belt.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Pitspitr on July 03, 2017, 01:40:33 PM
Check with El Paso Saddlery, or Tom Wilder at Williston, North Dakota
these guys ARE these M-1876 and are museum quality.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Baltimore Ed on July 03, 2017, 02:00:00 PM
Did somebody say Mills belts? (Sorry to be so long in posting my pix.) I got a few.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Pitspitr on July 03, 2017, 02:08:53 PM
I was afraid of that.  Found his website hunting a 1911-pattern campaign hat, which is proving an oddly elusive animal.  There's plenty of later models out there but not a whole lot that'll work for the Pershing's expedition and WWI. 
Check with Steffan Baker at Prairie Flower Leather Co. Ord NE 308-730-0746 I just found out the other day that he's making early campaign hats.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Niederlander on July 03, 2017, 04:42:21 PM
Sorry.  I was going to post pictures of one he made for the Marine Corps, but I accidentally deleted them from my camera.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Pay Dirt Norvelle on July 03, 2017, 10:41:32 PM
I was very fortunate when I bought my Mills Belt.  I was looking around on e-bay of all places and saw one described as a Mills Belt "style"  I took a chance and was able to get an original Blue Mills Belt for less than $70.00 and it is in very good shape.  It is a double row one that will hold 100 cartridges.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: 1961MJS on July 04, 2017, 09:46:04 AM
Check with Steffan Baker at Prairie Flower Leather Co. Ord NE 308-730-0746 I just found out the other day that he's making early campaign hats.

Hi Jerry

Wool or Fur Felt?

Thanks
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Niederlander on July 04, 2017, 01:17:39 PM
Wool.  The originals of the ones he makes were wool.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: FTrooper on July 04, 2017, 09:27:36 PM
The first batch of WPG's double row .30 belts are finishing production.  They look to be Khaki Cavalry belts.  Both Khaki and Blue infantry will follow as well as Blue Cavalry.  Eureka Arsenal is defunct for all practical purposes.  He makes a few things every now and then  as he can or wants to (hats) but his health will not allow him to make the belts nor leggings anymore

Chris Fischer
F-Troop
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: 1860Henry on July 04, 2017, 09:48:11 PM
Chris,

Any word on when the 45 caliber belts will be available?
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Grenadier on July 05, 2017, 05:09:50 AM
Chris,

Any word on when the 45 caliber belts will be available?

They are currently available.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Niederlander on July 05, 2017, 05:51:39 AM
The first batch of WPG's double row .30 belts are finishing production.  They look to be Khaki Cavalry belts.  Both Khaki and Blue infantry will follow as well as Blue Cavalry.  Eureka Arsenal is defunct for all practical purposes.  He makes a few things every now and then  as he can or wants to (hats) but his health will not allow him to make the belts nor leggings anymore

Chris Fischer
F-Troop
It's really too bad, because Jim made excellent stuff.  Love the Krag sling he made.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Niederlander on July 05, 2017, 05:58:53 AM
They are currently available.
Where?  I can't find them on the website or on e-Bay.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: 1860Henry on July 05, 2017, 07:21:07 AM
Niederlander,
I can't find them either and I have looked on the WPG site and eBay also.

Grenadier,
If you are referring to the sewn looped Mills belts then, yes, he has them available. We are looking for the belts that are all woven.

Chris
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Grenadier on July 05, 2017, 07:29:56 AM

Grenadier,
If you are referring to the sewn looped Mills belts then, yes, he has them available. We are looking for the belts that are all woven.

Chris

According to Jerry, you are going to have to wait a bit then.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Niederlander on July 05, 2017, 07:51:07 AM
Where are the sewn loop belts?  I can't even find those.
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: 1860Henry on July 05, 2017, 08:02:22 AM
Niederlander,

I think they may be referring to these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Model-1885-Cavalry-Cartridge-belt-45-Loops-for-45-70-Springfield-/232085024172?hash=item3609586dac:g:dMgAAOSwPCVX3F~X
Title: Re: Mills Belt
Post by: Grenadier on July 05, 2017, 09:24:41 AM
Niederlander,

Email Jerry directly, he has not posted them to his site or ebay yet.