The 1885 carbine sling marked something of doctrinal change that shifted the weight of the cavalry carbine from the shoulder of the trooper and use of the small carbine socket attached to the saddle quarter straps to just keep the carbine from flopping about, to a system using a larger carbine boot to not only retain, but carry the weight of the gun and permitted the shoulder sling to be narrowed and function more as a simple method to keep the carbine always at hand. The new pattern sling was designed at Watervliet Arsenal in 1884 and was black bridle leather, 1 ½ inches wide and 60 inches long, narrower and longer than the Civil War version, the extra length allowing the carbine to be fully seated in the carbine boot. Some 5,000 were first ordered from Rock Island Arsenal in July 1885, though with production delayed until final approval of the new pattern in December and production starting in early 1886. The buckle used was simple brass frame with single tongue sewn in place on one end and brass tip rivetted on the other end. Six adjustment holes were normally punched in the strap, though a shorter trooper might add one or be tempted to shorten the strap from the inside. The iron snap hook and swivel were mounted on the belt as on the earlier version using a D-ring with roller and link, though the D-ring was narrower and somewhat more square than the Civil War version.

This is a very good example showing a clear Rock Island Arsenal stamp near the belt tip with slight soft inspector’s initials just below. Buckle, tip, and snap hook assembly are all in place. The leather is solid, with nice color, visible impressed border lines, and wrinkling to the leather surface from flexing, minor rubs, but no flaking. The iron and brass have some natural age toning. This is a very good example of a key U.S. cavalry accoutrement belt.  [sr][ph:L]

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