Argentine Navy Admiral Sword Belt Slings MTC France c. 1920 Regulation 1901 Gilt
Argentine Navy Admiral Sword Belt. JM Militaria & Collectibles. Argentine Navy Admiral’s Full Dress Sword Belt. COMPLETE WITH SLINGS · FRENCH MANUFACTURE MTC · c. Buenos Aires · Argentina. The belt corresponds to the specifications of the. Reglamento de Uniformes de la Armada Argentina, 1901. Complete with both sword slings (tiros), all original gilt brass hardware, and the sword suspension hook – an unusually complete survival for a piece of this age and category. Produced during Argentina’s Belle Époque, when the country was among the world’s leading economies and its Navy commissioned its finest dress insignia directly from Parisian ateliers at considerable expense. Navy blue melton wool base, fully embroidered along its entire length with a continuous pattern of laurel branches in passing gold and silver thread, bordered by twisted gold bullion rope on both edges. The embroidery is dense, uniform, and shows the precision characteristic of high-grade Parisian military work. Large circular gilt brass buckle in high relief, depicting a foul anchor with chain and laurel wreath – the standard Argentine Navy heraldic device. Flanked by two square gilt brass retaining plates with Greek key border detail. Reverse stamped “MADE IN FRANCE” and “MTC”. Two complete sword slings in matching embroidered navy blue wool with gold thread, each fitted with a gilt brass square adjustment buckle and a gilt brass sword hook (garfio) with engraved foliate decoration. Both slings original and intact. All original gilt brass throughout: central buckle, square retaining plates, sling buckles, sword hooks with engraved oak leaf decoration, and safety chain with ring attachment. No replacements or repairs to the hardware. MADE IN FRANCE / MTC – stamped on the reverse of the central buckle plate. Identical maker’s mark to the Admiral’s epaulettes of the same collection, confirming both pieces originate from the same Parisian atelier. Very good for approximately 100 years of age. Natural oxidation patina on the gold and silver embroidery threads – expected and consistent with genuine aged French goldwork. Gilt brass hardware retains good definition. Embroidery structurally intact along the full length of belt and slings. No moth damage, no repairs. Reglamento de Uniformes de la Armada Argentina. Of 1901 established a dress uniform system drawing directly from French naval tradition, reflecting Argentina’s close ties with France during the Belle Époque – a period when Argentina ranked among the world’s top economies and its armed forces commissioned their finest dress items directly from Paris. The sword belt was an essential component of the Admiral’s full dress – worn at fleet reviews, presidential audiences, and the highest state ceremonies. The rank of Almirante was held by a very small number of officers at any given time, each piece of full dress kit commissioned individually at considerable personal or institutional expense. The confirmed MTC maker’s mark – identical to that found on the Admiral’s epaulettes offered separately in this store – strongly suggests this belt and those epaulettes formed part of the same original full dress kit, produced by the same Parisian atelier for the same officer. MTC, Paris (Made in France). Belt + 2 slings + all hardware. Specialising in Latin American & European military antiques Edged weapons · Uniforms · Insignia · Fine Art · Historical artefacts.
