Sam Browne double shoulder belt : Australian Military Forces

Brown vegetable-tanned 'Sam Browne' double shoulder belt. Each shoulder strap is made from three sections of leather. The longer section which passes over the shoulders measures 36 inches in length and is 1 1/4 inches wide except towards the ends of the strap where it tapers to 7/8 inch in width. Six holes have been punched in the end of the strap for adjusting the length of the brace. A shorter section measuring 4 1/2 inches in length and 7/8 inch wide with a brass single barred buckle takes the end of the longer strap at the front. There is both a fixed and a sliding running loop on the shorter section. A separate piece of shaped pointed leather with a single tear-shaped cut has been sewn to each end of each brace. A brass stud has been secured between the strap and this additional piece of leather. The pointed ends pass through the chapes at the front and the loops on the waist belt and are secured over the studs. The maker's name 'C.G.H.F.' (Commonwealth Government Harness Factory) with an underscore over a broad arrow (indicating that the item was property of the War Department) has been punched into the face proper right short strap. The letter 'S' with a broad arrow has also been punched indicating that the item had been officially found surplus to requirement and gone to disposal.

One of the earliest mentions of the wearing of 'Sam Browne' double braces is found in the Victorian Dress regulations of 1893. However as this set was made by the Commonwealth Government Harness Factory which was established around 1913, it is of a different period to that of the waist belt, ammunition pouches and bayonet frog to which it is currently attached. A lack of provenance makes it impossible to determine how these items are associated, if at all. From 1900, British Dress Regulations stated that the Sam Browne would only be worn by officers.