43.5" in overall length with a 10" leather tongue and brass frame buckle. Belt width 2.5", tongue width 1.75". Tongue marked WATERVLIET/ARSENAL on its face in two horizontal lines with a weak A.R. SMITH inspector mark horizontally in script near the tip and and an equally weak J Mc L inspection on the reverse of the tongue. Made of varnished canvas, the belt incorporates 54 2" loops for .45-70 service ammunition and three brass round rings for suspending equipment located 8.25" from the buckle and roughly 1.5" apart. The rings were intended to accept the brass hook from the Rice Chillingsworth trowel bayonet as well as the 1879 experimental socket bayonet scabbards. Originally modified at Fort Abraham Lincoln in 1878 for use with the new bayonet suspension hooks being tested, the belts saw field trials during 1879 but were not adopted as standard accoutrements. Today they are quite scarce. After the trials the belts were returned to standard service, retaining the added 1" rings. This example bears a later, probably Spanish American War era stenciled marking on the interior that reads COMPANY B 2ND GA INF.