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ANTIQUE VINTAGE "P V MEXICO" PONCHO VILLA? SPOTTED LEATHER RIDERS BELT

$ 580.79

Availability: 100 in stock

Description

OLD RUSTIC ANTIQUE VINTAGE "P V MEXICO" PONCHO VILLA? RIDERS LEATHER BELT
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Offered for your consideration
, an antique bronc riders belt found in an old deserted mining camp high in the Florida Mountains not far from the little town of Columbus, NM.
In the predawn hours of March 9, 1916, Poncho Villa’s men raided the town of Columbus, New Mexico, three miles north of the border. A regiment of the U.S. Army’s 13th Cavalry was encamped at the town, and its munitions depot was a target of the raid.  Despite being surprised by the attack, the U.S. troops quickly regrouped and returned fire—at one point setting up a Benet-Mercier machine gun in front of the town’s one hotel. The fighting, as well as the fires set by Villa’s men, left the town in ruins with many killed or wounded.
Soon after the raid, President Woodrow Wilson ordered General John J. Pershing to cross into Mexico to hunt down Villa.  The "Punitive Expedition" began with much enthusiasm and moral righteousness in Washington. Pershing’s troops traipsed more than 300 miles through northern Mexico without setting eyes on Villa, who knew the unfriendly terrain like the back of his hand and was a hero to the local people.
Thick and solid leather belt is decorated with large brass spots, is 48" long and 4-5" wide and appears to be period correct.  Selling as found.  You can decide whether this was indeed Villas belt and perhaps only speculate why he left it where he did.
Up here on the Turquoise Trail, we believe in truth, justice and the American way.
Please study the photos carefully, read my return policy, and ask any questions you may have before bidding.