I made a cartridge case or
cartouche some time ago. I figured I should have a set of cross belts to
compliment the case. If your having a cross belt set you really need a
Sabre to go with in. I picked up a scruffy re-pro sabre a few months ago
and the leather. With everything available I sat down the make the set.
The design is based on the uniform of the British Infantry about 1780.
The cross belts carrying the cartouche and sabre and/or bayonet had been
in use since the introduction of muskets and went out of use in the
Victorian era, circa 1850 when the more scientific webbing was
introduced.
The leather is 3mm white natural finished hide. The poor Infantryman would be required to keep the belts bright white using pipeclay. This set is not finished to that level just yet. The belt for the cartouche has narrowed strap ends in order to fit the buckles onthe bottom of the cartouche. The wide belt spreads the load of the heavy case which would be heavier still when filled paper, lead ball and powder cartridges. It quite simply make. Cut the belt to width and length then sow on the strap end.
I am short of a buckle to secure the cross over point of the belts. Choosing a buckle is tricky as the buckle signified the unit.
The baldric is a little more complicated. Depending on the unit or the decade Baldrics had different configurations. Some carried only a bayonet [Socket or plug types], other the sword bayonet [a dual purpose weapon] and yet others carried a sword and bayonet, typically a plug type bayonet. The version I have made is the sword and bayonet style. The bayonet frog has a small strap and buckle to secure the bayonet scabbard.
I picked the sabre up at a junk shop for pennies so you will have to excuse the item for not neccesarily being of the period.
The leather is 3mm white natural finished hide. The poor Infantryman would be required to keep the belts bright white using pipeclay. This set is not finished to that level just yet. The belt for the cartouche has narrowed strap ends in order to fit the buckles onthe bottom of the cartouche. The wide belt spreads the load of the heavy case which would be heavier still when filled paper, lead ball and powder cartridges. It quite simply make. Cut the belt to width and length then sow on the strap end.
I am short of a buckle to secure the cross over point of the belts. Choosing a buckle is tricky as the buckle signified the unit.
The baldric is a little more complicated. Depending on the unit or the decade Baldrics had different configurations. Some carried only a bayonet [Socket or plug types], other the sword bayonet [a dual purpose weapon] and yet others carried a sword and bayonet, typically a plug type bayonet. The version I have made is the sword and bayonet style. The bayonet frog has a small strap and buckle to secure the bayonet scabbard.
I picked the sabre up at a junk shop for pennies so you will have to excuse the item for not neccesarily being of the period.
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