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This belt is what I call '1880'; it is canvas & leather, with dimensions of 31.5 x 4.75. It will fit a waist from 28 ~ 32; and is 30.5 at the center strap hole. Note the 5 diagonal back support bars at the rear of the belt these are leather matching the same weight of the other leather parts. The canvas is herringbone weave. The leather patch securing the three straps has a fleur-de-lis stamp above each strap, so I think the belt might be French; the number 32 is stamped on the base of the center strap (which matches the largest size the belt could accomodate). The French had a long-time military mission to Japan from about 1868~1878. The Japanese Ministry of War (or whatever it was called then) attempted to cancel the French contract and hire Germans officers after the French lost the Franco-Prussian War; however, the Japanese General Staff (typically conservative and not wanting change) were opposed; it took until about 1880 before Germans finally replaced the French. The reverse side has some arsenal or acceptance stamps the two that I can read are generic Japanese family name chops [hanko] that are still sold today. #1 is Otani (sometimes spelled Ootani or Ohtani); #2 is Tanimura; and #3 is illegible. There is a fourth stamp under the middle buckle and it looks to be similar to stamp #1: Otani (but I cannot tell for certain). Additionally, there is a pencil or ink mark on the top edge opposite the buckles. This mark is CAo -- and I have no idea of its significance. With thanks to Guy H. Power
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