Braces : British and colonial forces

Pair of brown vegetable-tanned leather braces of unidentified pattern. Each brace measures 54 1/2 inches in length and is made of three pieces of leather. The main pieces measures 29 inches in length. It is 2 inches wide at the shoulder and is shaped and tapered along one edge to 7/8 inch wide. A single brass roller buckle with a fixed keeper and a slide or running loop have been stitched under each end of the main piece. At each end a strap measuring 15 1/2 inches in length and 7/8 inch wide with 7 holes for adjustment has been stitched to the main piece. These straps are passed through loops on a waist belt and secured through the buckles on the braces. A decorative incised (tooled) line runs along the edge of all leather pieces. There are no maker or acceptance marks present.

While this set of braces is associated with other naval accoutrements, it is not clear which pattern of equipment for sea or land service this set is made to. Although similar to the braces noted in List of Changes 3969 1 January 1880, the measurements are slightly different and the braces lack a brass stud for joining the braces at the back where they cross and brass studs at the front to take a haversack or cartridge carrier. They also lack the flat leather loop riveted to the shoulder to take blanket straps noted in the List of Changes 6434 31 December 1890 and 23 January 1891so are not this pattern either.

• Ammunition pouch : British and colonial forces
• Ammunition pouch : British and colonial forces
• Ammunition pouch : British and colonial forces
• Cartridge carrier (Mark II) for 25 rounds .303 inch ammunition : New South Wales Naval Brigade
• 1901 Pattern Naval bayonet frog : Victorian Naval Reserve
• Water bottle carrier : Victorian Navy