This minty officer's belt rig is accompanied by its original 1851 pattern Massachusetts belt plate. The black saddle leather belt is 1¾" wide and in fine condition with minor edge rubs resulting from use. The shoulder harness is in place; the leather tab inside the carry hook, often missing, is also present and is original to the belt. All hooks and keepers are brass displaying a mellow patina.

The cast brass belt plate is adorned by the Massachusetts state seal, which maintains its sharp edges and well defined relief. Both the plate and its clasp are original to the belt. The plate matches figure #92 in Plates & Buckles of the American Military by Kerksis.

State versions of these belt setups were worn by pre-war militia officers, and saw continued use through the civil war, having been privately purchased by officers who were loyal to their home states. The retention of the shoulder strap, as evidenced by period photographs, seems to indicate cavalry service by the officer who owned this saber belt.

This belt rig is a regulation Union cavalryman’s buff leather saber belt with rectangular eagle buckle and applied silver wreath. The belt is complete with both saber hanger straps, and the shoulder support strap which is often absent. The buff leather is dyed black on the exterior per 1851 Army regulations, now toned to a russet brown.  The interior of the belt is not dyed.  It was likely unissued and bears a near mint belt plate and keeper, both bench marked "442". The plate has an integral tongue and one-piece nickel silver wreath applied to the face and shows no wear.  This style eagle motif was approved in December 1863 and these plates were made from 1864-1865.

All brass accessories are original including the carry hook, two brass D-ring suspension rings which are stitched and riveted to the belt exterior, and the large square suspension ring that supports the long saber strap, also stitched and riveted in place. A clear maker mark is visible on the inside, "Crossman/Maker/Newark N.J.” for Edwin A. Crossman & Company of Newark. Crossman was a New Jersey harness maker who had multiple contracts for accoutrements, including 5,000 saber belt rigs.

Buff leather accoutrements were phased out during the war years and were gradually replaced by bridle leather counterparts.

Buff leather infantry belt with oval U.S. belt plate. The plate has arrow style hooks, and the brass belt keeper remains intact. This rig is in fine original condition with no wear to the leather. Both the buckle and keeper are original to the belt.

This is a complete belt rig for a Civil War Infantry non-commissioned officer including waist belt with eagle wreath buckle, US embossed cap box and a M-1860 Colt Army revolver holster, marked J Davy, Newark, NJ. Holster is in fine condition with no tears and only minor age flaking. Belt is buff leather showing wear near inside of keeper, original eagle wreath buckle in very good condition with matching bench marks "231” on reverse of buckle and keeper. The cap box in excellent condition with US on front flap. Both brass finials with nice patina and latch tabs present.


The contractor’s mark on the holster, J Davy, Newark, NJ, is for Joseph Davy & Company, a harness maker who was awarded numerous contracts for leather accoutrements during the Civil War. Rivet fastener with arched stitch indicates mid-war production.

Exceptionally fine cavalry carbine sling. These slings were worn over the cavalry trooper's shoulder, clasped to his carbine by a ring on the cheek-side of the stock, thus insuring the arm would remain handy and accessible when needed. This sling is uncut and bears its original steel swivel, marked "O.B. North/New Haven, CT". The strap is black bridle leather with only minor signs of wear or flaking. Its length is 58” from tip of the brass batwing to the loop at the buckle.

North was a military goods manufacturer who received a government contract for 29,142 carbine slings and swivels between May of 1864 and June of 1865. This is an uncut example and is original in every respect with brass tip and buckle original to the sling. An exceptional leather cavalry accoutrement.

This is a regulation model 1858 Union Army "smooth side” canteen which was the standard issue to Union infantry during the Civil War. It retains its original cover and strap just as it came from the depot, and also bears an original painted unit or company designation twice, indicating usage by more than one soldier during its time of service. Company designations are B 10 on one side and E 23 on verso. Its cover is in fine condition with minor separation along one edge, all keepers intact, the cork is a modern replacement.