Strap, steadying, “Sam Browne.” (Mark I.)
Strap, steadying, “Sam Browne.” (Mark II.)
Stores Ref. A1/AA 1693 Straps, brown, steadying

The Mark No. is somewhat of a misnomer, since early LoCs gave no separate listings for this, as it was detailed as part of the Waist belt. It acquires Mark I status only by association with the corresponding Waist belt. It was 21-inches long, by 5/8-inch wide, with a standing loop stitched at one end. The strap was looped on itself around the rear sword frog ring. The running end was punched with several holes, so that the Strap could be passed through the sword guard and secured to the large stud on the front of the Belt.

Still not granted a discrete stores entry, it is difficult to establish what difference there was, between it and the Mark I, as “…lighter material…” might indicate thinner leather. It is more likely that it also acquired Mark II only by association with the Mark II Belt authorised on 1902. For reasons not detailed, the Strap was made obsolete by LoC  A 4873, approved 22 November, 1929. The Strap pulled in the sword hilt, which turned out the scabbard tip. Swords had ceased to be carried in action during The Great War, so the requirement to steady the sword whilst moving had disappeared. It somehow contrived to be made obsolete - once again, this time by LoC C 4686, in 1951. The example shown here is from the Rog Dennis Collection. Photographs © Rog Dennis 2010.