Sam Browne Equipment

Sam Browne Components: Complete Pattern Variants

COMPLETE PATTERN VARIANTS

As a field equipment, the Sam Browne Belt was manufactured in brown leather, though one Victorian photograph shows a large group of officers, on campaign in Egypt and all have the whole set in buff leather. After the Pistol Case and Ammunition Pouch were made obsolete, the equipment became Ceremonial, comprising only Belt, Brace and Frog. A series of numbered Belts, in four sizes, then came into service and, by 1960, there were:-

Stores Ref. CN 2392 – 2397 BELT, Shoulder, Sword, Sam Browne, No. 1
Stores Ref. CN 2421 - 2427 BELT, Waist, Sword, Sam Browne, No. 1

These were brown leather, with brass fittings and the Belt had only two Brace loops, as did Belts Nos. 2 and 3. This was the universal pattern for “…Regts and Corps not otherwise mentioned…”.

Stores Ref. CN 2401 – 2407 BELT, Shoulder, Sword, Sam Browne, No. 2
Stores Ref. CN 2431 – 2437 BELT, Waist, Sword, Sam Browne, No. 2

The brass fittings of No. 1 were changed to white metal fittings and were worn by “…Rifle Regts. Except 1 Greenjackets and Cameronians…” This was in observance of black accoutrements, with white metal fittings, having once been the preserve of Rifle Regiments. However, after the introduction of Web Equipment, the Royal Tank Regiment had laid claim to black accoutrements, which just left white metal fittings for Rifles!

Stores Ref. CN 2411 – 2417 BELT, Shoulder, Sword, Sam Browne, No. 3
Stores Ref. CN 2441 – 2447 BELT, Waist, Sword, Sam Browne, No. 3

These were black leather, with brass fittings and were worn by the Royal Tank Regiment only.

Stores Ref. CN 2392 – 2397 BELT, Shoulder, Sword, Sam Browne, No. 1
Stores Ref. CN 2451 – 2457 BELT, Waist, Sword, Sam Browne, No. 4

This Belt had four Brace loops, being worn with double Braces. This regimental distinction was claimed by the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). The Ox & Bucks had been absorbed as 1st Greenjackets, when the Brigade system was foisted on the Army in 1958. Note that the Belt, shoulder, sword, Sam Browne, No. 4 did not exist, a pair of No. 1 braces being used.

Stores Ref. CN 0985 FROG, Sword, Brown
Stores Ref. CN 0986 FROG, Sword, Black

Only two Frogs existed, brown for use with Belts Nos. 1, 2 and 4, the black version being used for Belt, No. 3. This gave rise to Belts No. 2, with white metal fittings, using the only available frog, which had brass fittings! It is assumed that they lived with the problem, but only briefly, as Rifles' officers subsequently abandoned Sam Brownes in No. 2 Dress, wearing a Pouch Belt instead.

It should be carefully noted – the above were for Warrant Officers, as “issue” equipment of new manufacture. Between the Wars, officers continued to wear handed-down heirlooms and continued with other regimental variations – inward fastening Brace Billets, Braces attached only with studs, whistle sleeves on Braces and standard Braces worn backwards, together with differently shaped Belt and Brace buckles, loops, studs and rivets. These continued in wear long after the Second World War.