Original Item: Only One Available. As issued with the Model 1912 Horse Equipment, this Model 1912 Rifle Belt Ring was issued for wear on the Model 1904 Russet Leather Garrison Belt, in conjunction with the Model 1912 Rifle Carrier Boot, to carry the Model 1903 Springfield Rifle when the soldier was mounted on the Model 1912 Enlisted Service Saddle.

This beautiful example comes with a fully functional folding metal support frame for the leather lined ring, sadly the full length security strap fitted with a snap hook that attached to the trigger guard on the rifle is missing, and the small retention strap which secured the ring assembly in the closed position is also missing. The leather is worn and cracked, dry but not brittle, it’s still soft to touch. All metal components have light oxidation giving it a light green color. The leather that lines the “O” ring definitely shows signs to its intended use, displaying light rub marks. There are no stampings in the metal or leather visible.

The M1904 Garrison belt is in excellent condition! It shows signs of being lightly use and displays minor oxidation on the blackened brass buckle which retains about 90% of its color. The condition of the leather and stitching is great with no noticeable tears, damage or fraying, the metal for the leather retention loop is even present without any damage! The length of the belt is 48 ½ inches and does not have any markings visible.

Both of these items would be an incredible addition to any Cavalry or Equestrian collection!

The Model 1912 Rifle Belt Ring was a component of the unique, and somewhat complicated, system of interrelated equipment which defined the Model 1912 Trial Equipment. The Rifle Belt Ring was located over the soldier’s left hip – whether it was this ring which was mounted on a slide which fit the leather garrison belt, or the ring permanently attached to the Model 1912 Mills Pocketed Cartridge Belt which was worn in the field. The M1912 Belt Ring was designed to be set at a right angle to the soldier’s body when in use supporting the rifle, and when dismounted, the soldier could fold the ring down against his body and “out of the way”. When the soldier was mounted on horseback, the rifle was carried upright, with the muzzle passing through the ring until the forestock rested in the leather padded belt ring, and butt stock of the rifle was inserted into the Rifle Carrier Boot which was attached to, and hung below, the left, or “near” side of the saddle.

The strap, depending on the Belt Ring assembly, was snapped through the trigger guard, and with the rifle secured with the forestock through the ring, the rifle was effectively attached to the soldier’s body – for better or worse. A retaining strap on the Rifle Boot kept the boot upright until the soldier dismounted and as he dismounted, the retaining strap would feed out; allowing the boot to pivot away from the horse and the butt stock of the rifle would be drawn out of the boot.

This method of carrying the rifle was not only introduced for trial, but apparently was used to considerable extent, most notably during the Punitive Expedition into Mexico.