The Cartridge Belt
An enduring symbol of British sporting tradition — where history, ceremony, and fieldcraft meet in a single, resonant note.
The Cartridge Belt
The leather cartridge belt is starting to be more commonly seen across driven shoots throughout the UK and it’s counterparts. It seems to be coming back in fashion over the recent years. While the cartridge bag is a staple at many pegs, a full cartridge belt gives that added insurance for the moment you realize you’ve just run out of shells.
Most belts contain 25 loops for full box of shotgun shells to be carried around ones waist. Several companies are still making high quality belts by hand. A few of my favorites are Westley Richards, James Purdey and Sons, Holland and Holland and Els & Co., out of South Africa.
Cartridge belts find their origins dating back to the 16th century when early European musketeers used cross-body bandoliers fitted with small wooden “charges” or bottles holding pre-measured powder charges; the bandolier solved the slow reload problem of matchlocks and early arquebuses (long guns often supported by what we call shooting sticks).
Hope to see you in the field. Randy
