Original Items. One-of-a-Kind Group. This is an outstanding U.S. Civil War attributed revolver belt rig with an enlisted man’s waist belt, Model 1839 belt buckle, a .44 Revolver holster, a pistol cartridge box, and cap pouch, with a great field-made saber ring. The set is heavily worn with the leather cracking as shown, but it is still solid overall. The set comes with a signed photograph of William H. Piper, Company D, 6th Michigan Cavalry, with two museum signs denoting that the belt rig belonged to and was used in the war by Piper.

The belt is in good condition with the only major issue being that one side of the belt buckle is broken away from the strap and should be handled with extreme caution. It should be repaired before displaying the set. The cap pouch is extremely fragile but complete, and does have a maker’s mark under the flap though it is too worn to read. 

The pistol cartridge box is excellent with a complete strap and heavy verdigris. There are no markings we can find.

The holster  shows heavy wear with the most damage in the securing strap, which is tearing heavily with some leather repairs on the back. The holster is stamped on the flap:

J. DAVY & CO.
NEWARK, NJ

The knob is in great shape and the shape is still solid. The belt also has a great period field-made saber ring attachment, very unique and in great shape without damage.

The belt has some heavy wear and crazing, so this set should be displayed very carefully given the condition and age. The photograph of Piper measures 2 ⅜ x 4”. One of the museum placards shows it as having come from the Dr. Elliot Folickman collection of New York City.

William H. Piper was born on September 27th, 1845 in Genosser County, Michigan. He first enlisted in Company D of the 6th Michigan Cavalry on November 3rd, 1862 at Meridian, Michigan as a Private. He was mustered in on November 11th, and served with the regiment through all of its battles, including the Battle of Hanover, Battle of Hunterstown, Battle of Gettysburg, Battle of Williamsport, Kilpatrick's Raid on Richmond, Battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Yellow Tavern, Battle of Cedar Creek, Battle of Five Forks, and Appomattox. He was mustered out on November 24th, 1865, and worked as a Mechanic later in life. He passed away on June 2nd, 1910.

This is an outstanding attributed group, ready for display!

The 6th Michigan Cavalry was organized at Grand Rapids, Michigan, from May 28 to October 13, 1862, and mustered on October 13, 1862. Among the officers who later joined the regiment as replacements were Thomas W. Custer, who would earn two Medals of Honor while serving with the 6th in the spring of 1865.

The regiment was assigned to what became the Michigan Brigade during the early part of the Gettysburg campaign in June 1863. It saw its first actions under General Custer at Hanover, Hunterstown, and Gettysburg. Armed with Spencer Repeating Rifles, the 6th provided superior firepower against the lightly armed Confederate cavalry.

Sent out to the Old West frontier following the cessation of hostilities in mid-1865, the 6th, commanded by Colonel James H. Kidd and under the overall command of Brigadier General Patrick Connor constructed "Fort Connor" as a supply depot during the Powder River Expeditions of that summer. A detachment of the regiment guarding James A. Sawyers wagon train participated in the Sawyers Fight of August and September, 1865. The regiment was mustered out of service on November 24, 1865.