Original U.S. Indian Wars M1876 Type 1 Prairie Cartridge Belt with Scarce 1879 Trials Adapter Brass Rings by Watervliet Arsenal - Extremely Rare

Item DescriptionOriginal Item. Only One Available. Dating from the early Indian Wars in the 1870s, this is known as a Type 1 Model 1876 Prairie Belt which is a leather and webbed ammunition belt with a single prong, square brass buckle and corresponding leather tab with six punched holes. It was designed for the Springfield trapdoor rifles and carbines in .45-70 caliber. It is offered in heavily worn and tattered condition and is nicely stamped on the leather sectionWatervliet Arsenalwith inspector's stamp,A.R. SMITH.This example is the very rare Type 1 with the extremely rare M1879 Trials adapter brass rings, meant for the attachment of equipment like the 1873 entrenching tool. These are very rare to find on these belts.The belt is offered in great overall condition with the leather cracking heavily. This is a really well-worn example of what has become one of the scarcest belts on the market. A good example, ready for further research and display.From the earliest European visitors to the Westward Expansion of the United States, settlers often encountered the American Indians. Though many of these meetings were peaceful, the cultures often clashed, resulting in hundreds of battles and skirmishes between the Natives and encroaching pioneers upon their lands. The pioneers weren't the only ones to clash or have conflicts with the Native tribes, the U.S. Army did as well. Though confrontations with the Natives virtually occurred ever since the first European explorers and settlers set foot in the 'New World', the 'Indian War period' is primarily referred to as occurring between 1866 and 1890. These many conflicts are often overshadowed by other periods of U.S. history like the American Civil War for example.By the early 20th century, the American-Indian Wars had effectively ended, but at a great cost. Though the Natives helped colonial settlers survive in the New World, helped Americans gain their independence and ceded vast amounts of land and resources to pioneers, tens of thousands of Native and non-native lives were lost to war, disease and famine, and the Indian way of life was almost completely destroyed.Shipping RestrictionsThis product is available for international shipping.Payment OptionsEligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle