Cartridge carrier (Mark II) for 25 rounds .303 inch ammunition : New South Wales Naval Brigade

Brown vegetable-tanned leather cartridge carrier designed to carry 25 rounds of .303 inch ammunition (as described in List of Changes 6434 31 December 1890 and 23 January 1891). The main part of the carrier is cut from one piece of leather with shaped ends measuring 18 1/2 inches long and 2 3/4 inches in width. At one end a single brass roller buckle is attached to the main belt under a folded leather strap rivetted in place with two tinned copper rivets. At the other end a strap measuring 10 3/4 inches and 6/8 inch wide has been secured with a rivet. Along one edge of the belt, a strip of leather 1 6/8 inches wide has been formed into cartridge tubes and stitched to the belt. At the end with the long strap, a small hole with a slit has been made in the main belt. This enabled the carrier to be secured over a small brass stud on the left brace. Along the back of the carrier, four 6/8-inch-wide leather belt loops with tearshaped holes for fastening have been rivetted. Four brass studs with stitched circular leather covers have been secured through the belt to take the belt loops. These loops enabled the carrier to be carried on a waist belt. A small brass 'D' loop has also has been sewn to the reverse using a folded tab of leather. A decorative incised (tooled) line runs along all edges of the pieces of leather. On the front the letter 'S' with two inward facing broad arrows has been punched indicating that the item was 'surplus' and for disposal. On the reverse 'NSWNB155' (New South Wales Naval Brigade) and an illegible number have been punched.

The New South Wales Naval Brigade was formed in 1863. There were four main defence sections: Port Jackson, Botany Bay, Newcastle and Wollongong. In 1901 the Naval Brigade comprised 24 officers and 303 men. The Brigade was disbanded in 1907. It is believed that this is the Mark II variant which was made from a darker leather than previously used for the Mark I. There were two cartridge carriers to a set. They could be buckled together and worn as a bandolier across the chest or both worn around the waist. One could also be secured diagonally to a stud on the left shoulder brace and the other fitted to a waist belt.