Krag cartridge belt ????

[m1903rifle]

I traded for a Mills cartridge belt at a local gun show over the weekend and was pretty sure it was for use with a Krag. However, after looking through my references, I'm not sure what it is for. I tried a 30-40 round in it and it fit as it should, but a 45-70 will not go in very easily. It holds 35 rounds. Can anyone tell me what it have? Could it be for civilian use?

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[Brit-Tex]

I believe these belts with the closed bottom loops were intended for use with the M1903 Springfield Rifle. My reasons for believing this are:
1. The few I have seen (mostly in auction listings) have patent dates after 1903.
2. The closed bottom loop is only necessary for a rimless cartridge.
3. The M1903 has a magazine cut-off just like the earlier Krag to allow single shot firing. If
you are firing single shots while holding the loaded magazine in reserve, it makes no
sense to load single shots from a five round charger. You need a single shot style belt
like the Army has been using for years.

Once again, I have absolutely no documentation. This is just my theory.

[Brit-Tex]

By the way, that's a very nice looking belt. It would go great with my collection.

[MeatMarket]

I saw a website that had detailed information on these. I think that it was intended for Krag, even with the closed bottom loops. You said it fits 30-40 rounds right, so that would make sense to me. I'll see if I can find the website again and post it here.

[Marksman]

I think the belt may be intended for primers for large artillery pieces using loose charges.

[Badger]

It's not a belt, but I did manage to find a nice Krag bandolier with 3-40 caliber ammo in it...

(Click PIC to Enlarge)(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Regards,
Doug

[Brit-Tex]

Oh, I want that! I have an empty one

---------- Post added at 02:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:50 PM ----------

I think the belt may be intended for primers for large artillery pieces using loose charges.

That's a good idea as well. The 155 still uses a separate primer that looks like a 45/70 blank.

[browningautorifle]

Is that ever a nice piece Doug...how'd that happen? 1898? That's been around.

[Badger]

Is that ever a nice piece Doug...how'd that happen? 1898? That's been around.

Thanks partner...

You know, I can't remember, but I think I bought it at a gun show years ago ..

Regards,
Doug

[browningautorifle]

It boggles the mind...someone around here said, if they banned guns outright and had us turn them in, there would still be new guns appear 200 years from now. They'd be squirrelled away and finally find their way out. This is an example I think. Scott Gahimer has other examples I speak of.