Other Ranks 1888 Pattern (Mk I) modified Valise Equipment waist belt : Victorian Military Forces

Brown vegetable tanned leather waist belt, 1888 Pattern (Mk I) modified Valise Equipment (described in List of Changes 5696 29 June 1888) with Victorian Other Ranks cast brass union locket buckle. The belt is made from one piece of leather (1 3/4 in wide) with an adjustable billet and brass buckle at each end so the length can be adjusted while keeping the loops in their proper positions for braces when worn. Three small leather pockets have been stitched across the centre back of the belt. The belt has been altered, with square brass rings having been secured into the two outer leather pockets instead of the usual buckles to attach braces to when worn; the centre buckle has been removed altogther. A running loop with a brass 'D' is provided at each end of the belt for the front of the brace to pass through. On the proper right side there is also an additional narrower running loop (purpose unknown). A single decorative line has been incised along the edges of the belt and the running loops. The belt has a tapered, waist-shaped safe (tongue) behind the buckle which the belt loops through. A hole has been punched in one end of the safe probably to hang the belt up by.'W H HUNTER SADDLER MELBOURNE' is impressed into the safe. The locket (tongue) of the buckle depicts a crown similar to St Edward's and used during Queen Victoria's reign. The circular surround has the words 'AUT PACE AUT BELLO VICTORIA'.

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 I pattern waist belt varies from the Mark II in that the belt is made of one piece of leather and not in three sections, and the three buckles of the back section were secured in individual leather pockets. In the Mark II belt the buckles were sewn within the double-thickness of leather at the centre back section. In 1893 the Victorian Military Forces adopted the motto 'PRO PATRIA ET DEO VICTORIA' (For God and Country) and waist belts made from this date use an updated locket. However the older version of the waist belt would have continued to be worn for some years until replaced.

• Ammunition pouch : British and colonial forces
• Ammunition pouch : British and colonial forces
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