WWI US infantry bandolier

[surpman1911]

I recently purchased a couple of old US bandoliers but I don't know much about them. Both are the pea green color but one is just the normal WWII and Korean War era canvas belts. The other is WWI because it has the mills rimless eagle snaps issued to the 100th infantry unit in 1918 the ink markings are faded and hard to make out but it has the crossed rifles and the 100 for the unit. It was made in July but I don't know what year. It has to be between 1915 and 1918. It has 10 pouches and has the scrunchy bottom on each pouch and like I said it is the pea green color. It is in remarkable shape besides the ink markings. I could find absolutely nothing about it so I was wondering if anybody could tell me anything else about it and what it might be valued at.
-thanks

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

It sounds like what you have are cartridge belts, not bandoleers. Bandoleers were very light weight and had a strap to hang over the shoulder or neck.

Post some pictures and maybe we can help you out.

[surpman1911]

I will post a bunch of pictures later today.

[surpman1911]

here are some pictures of the WWI belt

[gsimmons]

Nice belt, I think these were manufactured round 1915, the one I have is. The lift the dot snaps came out not long after these.

[surpman1911]

Under a really bright light I can make out 1916 date under the marking under the flap.

[SemperFi, 0321]

Your WW1 cartridge belt has been dyed, possibly during WW2. They were khaki colored until 1943 when all field equipment went to the darker O.D. shade.
I have a really nice 1918 belt, wish mine had the eagle snaps instead of the lift the dot.

[surpman1911]

If it were dyed then wouldn't it have covered the original ink markings? The stitching would have also been dyed that color too and it is still a tan colored string. It hasn't been rest itched either because every single stitch is the same and it all has age showing. I believe it was manufactured in this color.

[surpman1911]

here is a picture of the stitching as shown all over the belt.

[gsimmons]

My belt and canteen cover are the same original pea green colour as yours.