1888 Pattern (Mark II) Valise Equipment waist belt with 1882 Pattern (Mark IV) ammunition pouches : Tasmanian Local Forces

Buff leather waist belt, 1888 Pattern (Mark II) Valise Equipment (described in List of Changes 6504 March, April and June 1891) with Tasmanian Local Forces silver plate or solid silver union locket buckle. The belt is 1 3/4 inches wide and made in three sections joined with two sewn-in brass loops. There is an adjustable billet and brass buckle at each end so that the length can be adjusted while keeping the loops in their proper positions for braces when worn.Three brass buckles are secured along the centre back of the belt between two layers of stitched leather.The two outer buckles attach to braces when worn and the centre one attaches to a mess tin strap. A running loop with a brass ‘D’ is provided at each end of the belt for the front of the brace to pass through. The belt has a rectangular rounded safe (tongue) sewn to the proper left running loop. The locket (tongue) of the buckle depicts a lion surrounded by a garter with the words 'TASMANIAN LOCAL FORCES'. The surround depicts an eight-pointed star surmounted by a Queen Victoria pattern crown. A laurel wreath extends upwards on both sides towards the crown. The belt is stamped on the inside in ink with the letter 'T' at each end. There are other marks but these are illegible. The belt carries a pair of buff leather ammunition pouches, 1882 Pattern Valise Equipment (Mark IV) pattern (described in List of Changes 3994 13 January 1882 and 4545 18 May 1884) designed to carry 40 rounds of Martini Henry rifle ammunition. Each pouch is made from five pieces of leather – front, back, front flap, gusset and inner guard, stitched together. The measurements of the pouches are as per the sealed pattern being 6 inches wide and 5 3/4 inches high. They have no internal compartments. The front flap has a stitched dart in each side to provide shape and is secured with a leather strap with two holes and slits which fit over a brass stud. A leather guard lies along the top front opening of the pouch to prevent loss of ammunition. Two vertical leather loops are stitched and riveted to the back of the pouch enabling it to be carried on the waist belt. A cast brass retractable ‘D’ loop at the top back of the pouch provides attachment for the braces when worn. A small horizontal stitched loop lies along the lower back to thread the end of the securing strap through when the pouch is empty. Both pouches are stamped on the inside of the flap with 'WD 16'. One pouch is stamped faintly on the back with the maker's name 'PULLMAN C&M 1888'. The other pouch is stamped with 'W JONES ? ? 236 REGENT ST 1898'.

The 1888 Pattern Valise Equipment was also known as the Slade-Wallace equipment, after its two designers, Colonel Slade and Major (later Lieutenant-Colonel) Wallace. The complete equipment consisted of a waist belt, two ammunition pouches, a pair of braces with movable buckles and a keeper, two greatcoat straps, a mess-tin strap, and a valise to carry clothing, cutlery and other personal equipment. This pattern was issued to British and colonial forces but was replaced with 1903 Bandolier equipment after its performance was criticised in the Boer War. The 1888 Pattern equipment was in service at most for 15 years though some parts such as waist belts, were retained for ceremonial purposes. The Mk II pattern waist belt varies from the Mark I in that the belt is made from three sections of leather and not a single piece. In the Mark II belt the buckles were sewn within the double-thickness of leather of the centre back section instead of individual pockets. It is not clear from Tasmanian dress regulations of the period as to whether this belt was worn by officers or other ranks. It would be unusual to issue belts with buckles of real silver or silver plate to other ranks.