The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Buff leather waist belt, 1888 Pattern (Mark II) Valise Equipment (described in List of Changes 6504 March, April and June 1891) with Other Ranks NSW cast brass union locket buckle. The belt is 1 5/8 inches wide and made in three sections joined with two sewn-in brass loops. This type of belt would normally have 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. In this example both buckles are missing. Along the centre back there would normally be three brass buckles secured between two layers of stitched leather but these buckles are also missing. The two outer buckles attach to braces when worn and the centre one attaches to a mess tin strap. There are running loops at each end of the belt but they lack a brass ‘D’ for the front of the brace to pass. The safe (tongue) behind the buckle is also missing. The tongue of the buckle depicts the cross of St George with a lion in the centre and four five-pointed stars at each corner representing the Southern Cross. The circular surround has the words ‘NEW SOUTH WALES MILITARY FORCES’. A number of marks have been stamped on the inside of the belt including the numbers '235' and '3259'.
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 II pattern waist belt varies from the Mark I in that the belt is made from three sections of leather and not a single piece. In the Mark II belt the buckles were sewn within the double-thickness of leather of the centre back section instead of individual pockets.
Buff leather waist belt, 1888 Pattern (Mark II) Valise Equipment (described in List of Changes 6504 March, April and June 1891) with NSW Other Ranks cast brass union locket buckle. The belt is 1 3/4 i
Buff leather waist belt, 1888 Pattern (Mark II) Valise Equipment (described in List of Changes 6504 March, April and June 1891) with NSW Other Ranks cast brass union locket buckle. The belt is 1 3/4 i
Buff leather waist belt, 1888 Pattern (Mark II) Valise Equipment (described in List of Changes 6504 March and April 1891) with NSW Other Ranks cast brass union locket buckle. The belt is made in three
Buff leather waist belt, 1888 Pattern (Mark II) Valise Equipment (described in List of Changes 6504 March, April and June 1891) with British universal cast brass union locket buckle. The belt is 1 3/4
Buff leather waist belt, 1888 Pattern (Mark II) Valise Equipment (described in List of Changes 6504 March and April 1891) with Victorian Other Ranks cast brass union locket buckle. The belt is made fr
Buff leather waist belt, 1888 Pattern (Mark II) Valise Equipment (described in List of Changes 6504 March, April and June 1891) with Victorian Other Ranks cast brass union locket buckle. The belt is 1
