Inconclusive

A thought occurred to me today while talking to Mr Fleetwood.

"Who invented the belt feed system?"

I appears to have sprung, fully formed, from nowhere to be used by Browning and Maxim.

Since Browning was using a canvas belt on the potato digger while Maxim's 1885 feed system patent was active, I think we can rule out the July 7, 1885 patent as covering the development.  There were patent suits flying over the M1895 and infringing on the belt patent would have been mentioned if it'd be active.

I'm simply not finding any patent that originates the belt.

I've found several that improve it or protect a novel way of making them, but not the original invention.

But, I've just been searching the internet, not doing real research.

If you happen to know, please share!