Big Al Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 (edited) Greetings everyone. Have I got a treat for you all. I found this belt on eBay, listed mistakenly as an M1918 BAR belt and priced similarly. It was obviously different, but I didn't immediately know why. By chance, I had read a discussion on a web forum talking about the magazine belts made for the Colt Monitor, and this belt matched the verbal description exactly. Naturally, I couldn't just let it be snatched up by some unwashed simpleton. Within a few weeks (the seller was away at the time of purchase), the belt was all mine. The belt is completely devoid of manufacturer markings. However, judging by the methods of construction and comparing details of the workmanship with unmarked accoutrements for the Thompson submachine gun from the same vintage, it is my contention that the belt was made by the Russell Manufacturing Company of Middletown, CT. Each half of the belt is constructed of a single piece of cotton webbing 6⅛" wide, with the pockets, flaps, buckles, and connecting strap keeper loops stitched to them. Eyelets are provided along the top and bottom edges of each belt half, with the lower ones for accessories using the M1910 double hook for attachment, and the upper ones for suspenders. The provision of the upper eyelets is somewhat questionable, however, as there are only a single pair of eyelets on the top edge of the right-hand half of the belt. It's assembly is somewhat sloppy, with the pockets being stitched on at inconsistent heights. Though overall, the belt is completely sound and serviceable. In examining a reprinted edition of a catalog and manual compendium published by Colt entitled Colt Automatic Machine Guns and Rifles, the belt shown therein has six pockets for magazines. However, this discrepancy does not call into question the identity of this belt for the following reason. The commercial BAR's were listed as being sold with six magazines each. This fits with my belt's configuration as that gives two magazines per pocket, with the last pocket being used to carry the leather accessory case, as was the standard in US military service at the time. The belt shown in the catalog was likely a prototype belt which never went into production, or possibly a later variant of the belt as yet undocumented. Aside from having two more pockets, it is identical in every way compared to my belt and the belt in Rock in a Hard Place, even down to the number of eyelets. With all due respect to Mr James Ballou (God rest his soul), he was partially incorrect in his identification of the belt as specific to the R80 Monitor machine rifle in his work on the history of the Browning Automatic Rifle, Rock in a Hard Place. In the Colt catalog, the belt is also listed for the R75 and R75A machine rifles, with an identical photo plate appearing in each section. Outside of belt. Pockets have been stuffed with paper for appearance.Inside of belt showing eyelets for suspenders (above pockets) and accessories (below pockets).Right half, showing one pocket with a single pair of accessory eyelets and blank space.Left half, showing three pockets and pairs of accessory eyelets.Detail of connecting strap with eyelets for suspenders running through the adjustment buckles.Detail of inside of belt at the adjustment strap.Detail of webbing keepers and merrowing on the end of the adjustment strap.Page from Rock in a Hard Place identifying belt.Page from Colt Automatic Machine Guns and Rifles in the section for the R80 Monitor machine rifle. An identical photo plate appears in the section concerning the R75 and R75A. Edited May 28, 2019 by Big Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim c 351 Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 Al,Congratulations, nice find. All you need now is a Colt BAR and you'll have a nice display.It would seem to me that if Colt was selling commercial BAR's and pouches they wouldn't care which model was purchased they would provide a pouch.In my opinion the ideal pouch for a commercial BAR is the right/left , 6 mag pouches. Law officers don't all have the same waist size, but they all have a shoulder to hang a strap from.Jim C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jl7422 Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 Nice score Al, thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrylta Posted May 29, 2019 Report Share Posted May 29, 2019 (edited) A very nice find,I'd be interested in purchasing the belt if your interested.I've looked for one like that for many years and finally settled ona modified WWI belt.I own an original Colt Monitor.PM me if your interestedDarryl Edited May 29, 2019 by darrylta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted June 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 Thank you very much, gentlemen. This belt is indeed my most prized item, the jewel of my collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normal1959 Posted September 29, 2019 Report Share Posted September 29, 2019 Unless I'm reading the book, "Rock in a hard place" wrong, it says this belt was made by Colt? They could have subcontracted to Russell? I collect belts and for some reason, can't get enough.Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted October 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 I'm thinking the belts were contracted to Russell, Eric. Colt didn't have manufacturing capacity for textiles, and it wouldn't be worth it for them to get into that industry with experienced manufacturers such as Russell and Mills around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normal1959 Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 Some of my belts. I have a few left to find, but the joy is in the hunt. I have a few very rare ones, and I only really collect extreme good condition. I like the ones with character, but prefer better condition. The last picture is one I still need if anybody has one to sell.Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normal1959 Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 Here is my pride and joy. The cup on the Chauchat belt is thinner than the BAR belt. This is a US made belt for the AEF.Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normal1959 Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 (edited) I did some closeups of a known Russell and the "Colt Monitor" belt. Looks 100% Russell.Eric Edited October 3, 2019 by Normal1959 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrylta Posted October 4, 2019 Report Share Posted October 4, 2019 Hello again,I'm a Monitor owner and have been looking to acquire a Monitor belt for many years.Is the belt shown above yours? If so, would you be interested in selling it to a good home?I have amassed just about everything Monitor related, except the belt.Darryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normal1959 Posted October 4, 2019 Report Share Posted October 4, 2019 Hello again,I'm a Monitor owner and have been looking to acquire a Monitor belt for many years.Is the belt shown above yours? If so, would you be interested in selling it to a good home?I have amassed just about everything Monitor related, except the belt.DarrylI will try and find you one. It's one of my strengths. Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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