In the late 1800s, in rural areas throughout the United States, it was expected that a man would augment his family's sustenance using his skills as a hunter. The most practical way to carry shotgun ammo proved to be the woven cartridge belts invented and produced by the famous Anson Mills. This Antique Late 1800s Anson Mills “Dog’s Head” Brass Buckle 12 Gauge Khaki Shotgun Belt is in Good Condition, with moderate frayed edge tearing to one shell loop at middle, some scattered frayed edge tearing to some of the other shell loops, some scattered spot fraying along the top and bottom edges of the body, some cleaning, polishing, and pitting to the face of the front buckle, some scattered verdigris and patina to the underside of the front buckle, some fraying to the sewn interior front ends, all but 6 of the shell cases missing their primers, some scattered patina to those shell cases, and with some overall darkening and age wear evident (ALL pictured). Otherwise, the belt is in fine shape, with no other damage to the tough khaki canvas construction. Most interestingly, it boasts 30 shell loops in total with 24 containing an antique empty brass Winchester 12 gauge shotgun shell case, sports three horizontal rows of red "ticking" along the exterior, and features the original, fully functional, and iconic “dog’s head” embellished “H” shaped brass front buckle, which is stamped at the back securing end with its maker and patent information, “ANSON MILLS PAT FEB 1 1881 / T.C. ORNDORFF SOLE MANF. / WORCESTER, MASS”. The style of that maker’s mark, in which the bottom address line “runs out of room” and cuts off the bottom portion of the last letter “S”, distinguishes the belt and buckle as original. A fine example of a very rare, original Antique Late 1800s Anson Mills “Dog’s Head” Brass Buckle 12 Gauge Khaki Shotgun Belt.