Uniforms Where did CSA snake buckles come from?

[Trooper "D"]

Snake belts need tightness to work properly They were the first 'quick release' buckle and were often used on sword belts - the tightnss came from the weight of the sword or whatever was put on the belt - the sort of weight you want to ditch quickly at the end of the day. The elasticated belts provided that tightness without discomfort or weight. So why on military waist belts? it ensured the belt was relatively tight - military fashion, but could be removed relatively quickly. They lasted on light, thin, sword belts, especially for cavalry and court swords, well beyond napoleonic times (no waistbelt or crossbelt).

They seemed popular with 'irregular' troops and police, mounted police, rifles and militia rifles and light infantry

View attachment 521303
Constable 59Y of York(?) police c 1875 The cuffband shows he is on duty.

View attachment 521305
George H. Gray, Company C, 6th Massachusetts Volunteers KIA Carrsville Virginia 1863.
6th Massachusetts was one of only two units that were supplied with British Enfield equipment during the war hence the P53 bayonet and scabbard)

Here we have the model for portraying British equipments. I don't know who makes a proper repro cap pouch for this portrayal though. Thanks for sharing Mate.
Cheers!

 

[RedRover]

Here we have the model for portraying British equipments. I don't know who makes a proper repro cap pouch for this portrayal though. Thanks for sharing Mate.
Cheers!

Here's a reb more correctly, wearing the British cap pouch on the cartridge box belt, British style...

C & D Jarnagin says they'll make the British cap pouch.

C&D Jarnagin 1840's 1850's 1860's English and french imported equipment leather gear cap cartridge box scabbard confederate federal

Fall Creek Sutler sells a cheaper version...

https://fcsutler.com/fcleather.asp

For the "ball bag" or "expense pouch" which was also imported to the Confederacy, there are other makers.

English Pattern Ball Bag, Made in the USA. - Regimental Quartermaster

This pattern is the half-moon style 10 round ball-bags used [...]

regimentalquartermaster.com

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[HatEnjoyer]

View attachment 521814

Here's a reb more correctly, wearing the British cap pouch on the cartridge box belt, British style...

View attachment 521815

C & D Jarnagin says they'll make the British cap pouch.

C&D Jarnagin 1840's 1850's 1860's English and french imported equipment leather gear cap cartridge box scabbard confederate federal

Fall Creek Sutler sells a cheaper version...

https://fcsutler.com/fcleather.asp

For the "ball bag" or "expense pouch" which was also imported to the Confederacy, there are other makers.

View attachment 521816

English Pattern Ball Bag, Made in the USA. - Regimental Quartermaster

This pattern is the half-moon style 10 round ball-bags used [...]

regimentalquartermaster.com

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Another great post to bookmark for later! Thanks!

 

[Old Soldier]

View attachment 521814

Here's a reb more correctly, wearing the British cap pouch on the cartridge box belt, British style...

View attachment 521815

C & D Jarnagin says they'll make the British cap pouch.

C&D Jarnagin 1840's 1850's 1860's English and french imported equipment leather gear cap cartridge box scabbard confederate federal

Fall Creek Sutler sells a cheaper version...

https://fcsutler.com/fcleather.asp

For the "ball bag" or "expense pouch" which was also imported to the Confederacy, there are other makers.

View attachment 521816

English Pattern Ball Bag, Made in the USA. - Regimental Quartermaster

This pattern is the half-moon style 10 round ball-bags used [...]

regimentalquartermaster.com

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True, but the Volunteers often wore belt pouches - as did the regular army

Note that neither has the 'cap pouch'. That disappeared soon after the Crimean War. There must have been some still around in civilian contractors' stores, unwanted, so why not get rid of them at a much reduced price...?

 

[Trooper "D"]

View attachment 521814

Here's a reb more correctly, wearing the British cap pouch on the cartridge box belt, British style...

View attachment 521815

C & D Jarnagin says they'll make the British cap pouch.

C&D Jarnagin 1840's 1850's 1860's English and french imported equipment leather gear cap cartridge box scabbard confederate federal

Fall Creek Sutler sells a cheaper version...

https://fcsutler.com/fcleather.asp

For the "ball bag" or "expense pouch" which was also imported to the Confederacy, there are other makers.

View attachment 521816

English Pattern Ball Bag, Made in the USA. - Regimental Quartermaster

This pattern is the half-moon style 10 round ball-bags used [...]

regimentalquartermaster.com

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Ah! That's a ball bag. Thanks for the info. Great stuff to know. I've seen the cap pouch on the belt before. I think the angled ones are for wearing on the cartridge box sling. The photos with one apparently on that sling is a little bleached out for my tiny cell phone screen. I'm guessing that is what I'm seeing.
I would like to equip Enfield gear for my Whitworth and my P-1853. I have some things separately but ordering all new gear set up would make me happy. I just don't have any gigs lined up since Covid wiped out everything. My physical health has deteriorated also and I wont be marching around reenactments as a private anymore. Living History might pick up again if I really push myself. It would also be nice to have a complete British set up for whoever I will my things too. Set somebody up right nice.
Cheers!

 

[R. Porter]

I thought I had seen a book on snake buckles.

 

[R. Porter]

Here is an example of a snake buckle worn by some of our members in their youth:

snake belt | Unknown | V&A Explore The Collections

'Snake' belt of striped webbing, for a boy; made in the UK, ca. 1925

collections.vam.ac.uk