This is a great, untouched, western cartridge belt probably dating to the late 1870s – early 1880s using a military style belt with flat brass adjusting hook looping back through the hasp of silvered belt plate and fitted with thirty-six pistol cartridge size loops. The plate and hasp are silvered stamped, sheet brass, with the plate rectangular in shape with rounded corners, a slot for belt loop on one edge, with the slot rounded at top and bottom, and a wide tongue riveted to the reverse. The face is embossed with raised motifs: a five-pointed star at center, and four dots, with zig-zag borders having dots in the angles of the line, and each corner bearing a rosette from which a stem leads to an oakleaf with two acorns.

Among some collectors and relic hunters this plate acquired an association with the Civil War “Waco Guard,” a company formed in 1861 who became part of the 7^th Texas Infantry. The construction, however, is certainly postwar and perhaps derives from some connection with the postwar militia unit of that name, founded about 1877. Some examples of the plate have reportedly been found in Tennessee and elsewhere, but members of that unit or their relatives might travel and as a commercial product there is nothing restricting its use to one postwar militia unit. As used in the Civil War the star motif is most often associated by collectors with Texas troops, but shows up in connection with units from other states, Mississippi and Louisiana in particular, and the same likely holds true for its later use. In maintaining this plate’s Texas connection, though, a few have suggested it might have been used by a company of Texas Rangers, some of whom may have had connections with the Waco Guards.

These possible Texas connections gave it a place in the Texas Civil War Museum and regardless of the precise date or usage this is a great looking, early western belt rig- untouched and showing some use, but making a strong display. The belt is dark brown with light brown wear spots, but is solid. The cartridge loops are all there, showing wear and actual use, and with a number on the right rear having splits or tears. The belt plate itself shows as a muted silver with wear to the finish of the raised star and four dots at center, with some corrosion to the hasp. Intended to carry thirty-rounds, a full six-loadings for a revolver, this was not a casual cattleman’s gun belt, but something anticipating some serious business.  [sr][ph:L]

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