1888 Pattern Valise Equipment braces and straps : British and colonial forces

Pair of buff leather 1888 Pattern Valise Equipment braces and straps (as described in List of Changes 5696 29 June 1888 but shorter in length). The main strap of each brace measures 31 inches in length, widening from 1 inch at each end to 2 1/2 inches over the shoulder, and is made from two pieces of joined leather. (In the List of Changes the length is noted as being 57 1/2 inches). The back square end of the main strap is secured with four rivets to a pointed billet 8 1/2 inches in length with 8 holes for adjustment. At the shoulder a brass square loop is secured under a lozenge-shaped leather tab which is attached to the main strap with six tinned copper rivets and washers. This brass loop takes the supporting straps of the valise when worn. The front end of the main strap is folded over one half of a double-barred brass buckle and secured with three rivets. On the other half of the double-barred buckle a strap is folded and secured with three rivets. This strap measures 14 1/2 inches in length and has 12 holes for adjustment. The two straps are held together at the centre back by a buff leather keeper which is secured with a single plated pin. The right brace has the following marks stamped on the reverse side: 'R & J Pullman LD C&M 1900', '570' and 'R' indicating the right hand brace. The left brace is stamped with the number '507' and 'L' indicating the left brace.

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 straps on this example of 1888 Pattern braces are too short to be rolled around a greatcoat and would have buckled directly to the waistbelt instead, without any excess strap.