US Indian War Era, 3rd Pattern 1876 Prairie Belt, San Antonio Arsenal Modification, Named

Original period manufacture. Canvas body with 54 varnished loops for 45-70 cartridges. Watervliet Arsenal marked on the leather tongue, along with the inspector's name A.R.SMITH. This belt was one of 1000 belts modified by the San Antonio Arsenal for Infantry use by the addition of a leather strap added to the reverse. Sewn on one end, the other secured to the buckle tongue by a special brass tip which slid over the buckle securing prong. Named on the reverse in clear lettering, E.H.Blinn, 1st Sergt. G. Co. 1st Fla. Vols. The 1st Florida were mustered for service during the Spanish American War but never served overseas. This exact belt is illustrated and discussed on pages 252-253, American Military and Naval Belts by R.Stephen Dorsey.