sraps under belts

[kirklandaustin]

I was wondering about the cartridge box shoulder strap going under the belt. I was reading in the infantry tactics that it should go over everything but your canteen. So you can move it out in front of you for battle to an better place to get your ammunition. I know that a lot of reenactors put this under there belt but dose anyone have any photos of men doing both ways or what do y'all think on the subject.

Austin Kirkland
"just a poor man fighting a rich mans war"

[Cumpston1862]

Re: sraps under belts

This question brings to my mind this image. Note the soldier closest to the camera.

[Marine Mike]

Re: sraps under belts

Cumpston 1862,
I see two in great coats with the sling over the coat and the waist belt over the sling and two in frock coats with waist belt over the sling. Are you seeing something different?

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: sraps under belts

I can't recall any photos of box slings being worn over the waist belt.

[CompanyWag]

Re: sraps under belts

And yet I recall seeing images where the box is not only on the shoulder sling but evidently have the waist belt threaded through the loops of the box at the same time. The ultimate in security...Almost like an old duffer wearing suspenders and a trouser belt at the same time. I don't have any images at hand right now as I am away from home, but Scott Cross might be able to weigh in on this.

[Cumpston1862]

Re: sraps under belts

Mike-

My caption was rather vague.

Whenever the question is raised about cartridge straps going under or over the waist belt this is the picture I think of because of the soldier closet to the camera. It is a nice clear image showing the cartridge straps under the waist belt. I would agree with Robert in that I am not familiar with any pictures of a soldier wearing his cartridge straps over his waist belt.

This particular picture is a great one of Federal soldiers fully equipped and ready to go into battle. There are a number of interesting aspects including some of the soldiers wearing their greatcoats and their gear over them as you pointed out. Everytime I look at this picture I notice something new. Like the soldier on the far left. I just realized he is sitting on his knapsack.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: sraps under belts

Hallo!



Curt

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: sraps under belts

Hallo!

I am not sure what you are seeing that is "non regulation?"





The intended purpose of the shoulder belt under the waistbelt was for stability while marching, kneeling, or firing prone. Plus, a fully loaded cartridge box weighed roughly four-something pounds and unless secured under the waistbelt had a tendency to flop and bounce.

To date, I have not yet seen an image of one worn over the belt except for those worn on the waistbelt and not on the shoulder belt (as with the P1857 boxes).

Curt

[Cumpston1862]

Re: sraps under belts

Gents-

I posted the above image to illustrate a textbook image of Federal soldiers wearing their cartridge box slings under their waist belts as per regulations. My understanding of Mr. Kirkland's post was does anyone know of any period photos showing the straps underneath the waistbelt...yes...this one.

Sorry for any confusion.

[ScottCross]

Re: sraps under belts

Every image I have ever seen shows the cartridge box strap Under the belt. The only exception is the occasional occurence where the waist belt has been threaded through the waist belt loops on the back of the cartridge box, in addition to wearing the cartridge box strap, as Mr. McKee noted. I owned two images showing this, but sold them years ago. In practice, I found it very comfortable and it distributed the wait better. It also speeded up getting your gear off and on.

[Ambrose Bierce]

Re: sraps under belts

Paul D. Johnson's "Civil War Cartridge Boxes of the Union Infantryman" is an invaluable reference with loads of photos evidencing the wearing of accouterments correctly. Conversely, it has photos that confound the process by showing all manner of wearing them. The most common, however, appears to be traps worn with belt over strap.

I agree with Jim Kindred; books are the best and original search engine. Invest in a few, Kirkland, and you can refine your impression off of period examples vice what "other reenactors" (always a cautionary source) are doing.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: sraps under belts

Just a side note; for some reason every photo I have seen of a soldier wearing his box on both his belt and his should strap, has been an Illinois soldier. I am not saying only Suckers did it, but that is just what I have seen.