100 Round belt?

[browningautorifle]

Can anyone tell me exactly what this is? I'm pretty sure it's not what it's advertised to be...what's taken place here? RARE Mills 100 Round Bandoleer for Krag Rifle | eBay

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[vintage hunter]

I don't know if this one is real or a knock off but yes there really was a 100 round Mills Cavalry Bandoleer issued. It replaced the earlier 100 round waist belt. There seems to be quite a few on ebay and they look a lot more authentic than this one.

[browningautorifle]

I know there's a C belt, but this one doesn't have the double loops and the buckle genuinely looks like coat hanger. Even the paint on it is coat hanger...have you seen a buckle like this? Or the "Wire" inside the loops?

[butlersrangers]

I am unfamiliar with this type of Mills bandolier and the metallic retainers in the cartridge loops. However, this bandolier in question seems to have the loops woven into the belt (Mills patent). Repro. belts generally have the loops sewn on.

Also, that peculiar closure is shown in Poyer's book, "The American Krag Rifle and Carbine", page 222, figure 3-49. It is a blue bandolier described as: "Mills & Orndorff 100-round bandolier for mounted troops, Craig Riesch collection".
Mallory shows a Khaki version of this bandolier, with the same wire 'buckle', on page 159, "The Krag Rifle Story", second edition.

[vintage hunter]

Not in person but I came across one for sale elsewhere that appears to be identical to the one you posted about. 19thcenturyweapons.com/beltsandplates

[browningautorifle]

I genuinely need Brophy's book on the Krag...really...

[rayg]

I've seen a few of them through the years at shows, Ray

[browningautorifle]

I've seen a few of them through the years

Just like this one Ray?

[rayg]

I believe so, didn't look at them that close. But the ones I saw had thin brass wire hoops for fasteners that looked something like that if I recall. Ray