Hello.

I have seen this belt on Ebay. What I would like is a SINGLE ROW Mills belt. This is a double row. Either Kachi or Blue.

WHat I was asking is if the 30-40 cartridge fits into the 45-70 loops.

Thanks

Ebay usually has an assortment of original/reproduction Mills Cartridge Belts.

However, seems like very few reproductions are being listed at this time.

Try Googling "Reproduction Mills Cartridge Belt" and see what you come up with.

Here's a site that I Googled:

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I have pondered this.  I looked at the specs for the 45-70 and the 30-40.  Let's say both belts are designed for a snug but not tight fight for the respective cases and the rims are used to prevent the cases from falling through the loops. The base diameter for the 45-70 is .505 inch.  The Krag round is base diameter is .457 inch and the rim diameter is .545 inch.

So I am thinking the Krag round will be loosy-goosy in the belt loops but will not slip through the bottom of the loop.  It may pop out of the tops though.

This is all a guess.  It could be there is enough friction to hold the cases in place regardless of activity such as shooting from a trench and a mad dash over shell craters against Spanish machine guns.

If you are flexible about manufacturer, you might want to look for belts made by Spalding and Hurlburt.  Both made a model or two for the Krag.  They usually had sewn-on loops instead of the Mills, woven type, but they are usually a bit cheaper than Mills and, although they usually seem to be for 45-70, you might find one for the 30 cal.  I have a Spalding with the sewn on loops that I used for 30-40 and they seem to fit pretty well.  I think both brands have horizontal, blue or brown threads in the belt (but not the sewn on loops).  John Spangler at old guns.net currently has a couple of Hurlburts listed.  John is listed as a founding member here and is a great person to do business with.  If you ask nice, he might even answer whatever questions you have.

I think, really, if you just want the belt for filling with ammo and having it for display, it should be fine. The rims on the 30-40 Krag ammo will probably keep them from slipping out of the belt loops just fine if you stick them in the 45-70 belt. They would certainly be easier to remove from the 45-70 belt loops, also. You might have a little trouble if you plan to actually use the belt and you are carrying them and running or moving around a lot. I doubt you would be flipping or jumping enough to lose rounds, though. My 30-40 Krag belts all have tight loops that haven't held ammo for decades, probably. They all have vintage 30-40 ammo in them because that's what I want them for-display.

So, it would work the way you are inquiring. The belts are made ammo-specific. That's my point. I am a purist, though, and don't like using reproduction stuff for my military collection or incorrect stuff. I have paid a little more and searched a little longer for correct items to go with my Krags. That's the beauty of collecting military firearms and accoutrements- you can buy what you want and do what you want with it.

Get the 45-70 if you can't find what you want in the official Krag arena. It will work fine and they will look great with your Krags!.

Appreciated. I guess I didn't consider a specific use germain to the question.

I do not wish to get bogged down with gear that I will never have space to display and, really, no one to show it to.

I did Civil War may years ago and got out of it. I did Cowboy action shooting 20 years ago and got out of it. My 1st love is the M1903 Springfield rifle and I have WAY too much original gear for it. Most of it just sits in boxes. I will often dress the part (Uniform and gear) for a vintage match, but those are infrequent, anymore.

Ever time I get a new military arm, it seems I feel the need to acquires gear to go with it.

Will probably use the belt only for a vintage match, range use or wearing at a gun show.

I wish an original single row

[quote author=73564D4C5D380 link=1546269858/10#10 date=1546347308]Appears I should have never responded to this post since I am not an expert on this subject, but now that I have.........

It also appears that the only person(s) that could actually respond to the original post is somebody that has 45-70 cartridge belts that the experiment could be tested upon. I do not have such a belt. That leaves only guess work on my part, which is the reason why I need not have responded. But most of us here truly want to help. I believe there are some good answers above to the best of our collective knowledge. Some more answers may still be given.

And 45-70 cartridge belts may not be a perfect fit, but without knowing the specific intended purpose a perfect answer may not be given unless by accident.

Is it for display? Is authenticity an issue? Will it be used for re-enactments? Will it be used for hunting purposes? Will it be used on horseback?

If the original poster wants to come back to this topic and let us know if he got his answer that would be great. Or if he would give an intent for use, that would be fine, also.

As for me, I really have nothing else to offer. But I apology for any misunderstanding or disrespect on my part.

A saber would go well with your fine display. I have a pretty nice 1906 Ames saber, with mounted belts for the M1903, that I will often wear at gunshows. Would like to use it with a Krag Mills belt, too.