1882 Pattern (Mark IV) Valise Equipment ammunition pouch : British and colonial forces

Brown vegetable tanned leather ammunition pouch, 1882 Pattern (Mark IV) Valise Equipment (described in List of Changes 3994 13 January 1882, 4545 18 May 1884 and 4855 29 August 1885) designed to carry 40 rounds of Martini Henry rifle ammunition. The pouch is made from five pieces of leather - front, back, front flap, gusset and inner guard, stitched together. The measurements of the pouch are as per the sealed pattern being 6 inches wide and 5 3/4 inches high. It has 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 with slits which fit over a brass stud. A 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 enable it to be carried on the waist belt. A cast brass retractable 'D' loop at the top of the pouch provides attachment for the braces when worn. A small horizontal stitched loop lies along the lower back. 'SHELDON & SONS WALSALL C&M 1900' has been stamped into the surface of the inner guard.

The 1882 Pattern Valise Equipment replaced the 1871 pattern. It was used well into the 1890s and was in service for some years after the introduction of the 1888 Pattern (Slade-Wallace) equipment. The complete equipment consisted of a waist belt, two ammunition pouches, a case and a strap for the Italian water bottle, a pair of braces, two straps for the valise or mess-tin, two straps for the mess-tin or great coat and a valise to hold clothing and personal eqipment. Pouches of this type were originally made from buff leather but in August 1885 were also authorised for manufacture in brown leather. The Mark IV pouch differed from the Mark III pouch in that the inner guard was added. Sheldon and Sons were a firm of curriers and manufacturers of bridle, saddlery and leathergoods in Walsall, England. In 1900 the firm was based at Corporation Street. They were still operating in 1925 at 39 Corporation Street.