Infantry Equipment, Australian Pattern (Leather) - Belts, Braces, and Straps
Waist belt
The Waist belt for the Infantry Equipment, Australian Pattern (Leather) is a copy of the W.E. Patt. '08 Waist belt reproduced in leather. As with most components of this equipment, there are two main variations, the first with standard Twigg buckles and the second with tongued buckles. There are a few differences worth noting between this Belt and the Pattern 1908 one. Although the Australian Pattern Belt has a double Twigg front buckle, one does not pass the free end of the Belt back through it Patt. '08 style. Instead, the free end of the Belt passes through the buckle in normal trouser belt fashion, and is secured in place by a floating leather keeper. Next, you can see a series of holes in the Belt to either side of the center down tabs. These are for securing the studs on the Cartridge carriers. This first issue example is not maker marked and is undated. From the Graham Tweeddale Collection, photos © Graham Tweeddale 2009.
The inside view of the same first issue Belt.
This second issue example is not maker marked and is undated. It is, however, stamped with a large "M", which designates "Medium". The Belt came in three sizes, as did the Patt. '08 Belt.
Infantry Equipment, Australian Pattern (Leather) Braces are simple 2-inch wide leather straps. First issue examples, like this pair, used the tongueless Twigg buckles shown here, and therefore didn't have holes punched in them. You can see that one end of each Brace, originally flat, has been reshaped to make it easier to insert into a buckle. These Braces are maker marked "Holden & Frost" and are dated either 1915 or 1916. From the Brian J. Burnes Collection, photos © Brian J. Burnes 2009.
Details of the same pair of first issue Braces, showing the maker's mark.
Second issue Infantry Equipment, Australian Pattern (Leather) Braces. Second issue examples like this pair have holes punched in both ends to engage the tongued buckles in the other components of the equipment. The Braces each carry a 2-inch Twigg buckle, tongued in the second issue (not shown in this picture). These particular Braces are maker marked "EW" and "HD" but are not dated.
The Supporting straps for the Infantry Equipment, Australian Pattern (Leather) are copies of the W.E. Patt. '08 Supporting straps reproduced in leather. As with most components of this equipment, there are two main variations, the first with standard Twigg buckles and the second with tongued buckles. The detail shows a close-up view of the tongued Twigg buckle unique to Patt. '15. This second issue pair is maker marked "TELFORD BROS" and dated 1916.
This Belt was made from a second issue Australian Pattern Brace. The Brace has been shortened and a standard single Twigg
buckle sewn on. These have been seen converted from first issue Braces as well,
using the tongueless buckle. Other examples have been seen that appear
to be purposely made, however, thay may have been first issue Braces that had holes added when they were converted to Waist belts. These Belts resemble the Belts, waist, converted, made in similar fashion from W.E. Patt. '08 Braces. From the Grant Napier Collection, photographs © Grant Napier 2008.
