I purchased a small reprint Mills & Orndorff catalog, which the ebay vendor attributes to 1893.
This is likely a correct date, since the most modern cartridges pictured are .32-40 and .38-55.
There is a fair amount of minor trivia in the reprint catalog, which I found interesting.
Of note, when the catalog was printed:
For Military service two sizes of belts were made; a 45 loop (40 inches long) and a 50 loop (43 inches long).
On the early Mills belts, the ends are protected by a 'binding'; the riveted brass end-fitting does not appear in this catalog.
The sheet-brass buckles were made in two sizes (heights), patented in 1881, and in use by 1887.
A "Police" marked buckle was in use by the St. Paul, Minn. P.D.
When over 500 belts were ordered, a Die would be made for any buckle design ('logo') desired.
Mexico (Eagle), Republic of Chile, and Columbia ('Guardia') had buckles.
Woven Canvas belts are shown in the catalog with grommets for wire-hangers for 'trapdoor' bayonet, leather holster, and sword straps. (I had mistakenly thought the grommets came later).
Mills Catalog circa 1893
- butlersrangers
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Re: Mills Catalog circa 1893
Yep. You just never know when ducks are going to mount a bayonet charge. Have yours ready on your Mills belt at all times is what I say. Get them before they gets you.
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