Original U.S. Spanish American War Blue Massachusetts National Guard MASS .45-70 Ammunition Belt by Mills with Thirty-Nine Shell Casings

Original Item. Only One Available. This is an excellent Mills Web Ammunition belt for the Trapdoor Springfield rifle with a National Guard of Massachusetts belt buckle used by troops of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiments during the Spanish American War and the Philippine Insurrection.

The belt is a lovely dark web material and has spaces for 50 .45-70 cartridges. 39 of these 50 spaces are filled with casings for .45-70 cartridges, some period with markings and others newer. The finish on the belt buckle is a bit worn but has a nice patina. The web belt is soft and pliable but does have some damage including some of the loops showing fraying of the material.  The back of the buckle has several old etched words and initials but still has great patent markings:

ANSON MILLS PAT. FEB. 1, 1881.
T.C. ORNDORFF SOLE MANF.
WORCESTER, MASS.
U.S.A.

A great Massachusetts Spanish American War belt with retained casings, ready for further research and display.