British, WW1, c.1917, Officers Sam Browne Belt and Cross Strap

*British, WW1, c.1917, Officers Sam Browne Belt and Cross Strap*

Measures: 114cm long, 5.7cm wide

Brown/maroon with brass fittings. WW1, c.1917, British Officers Sam Browne belt and cross strap.

The Sam Browne belt is a leather belt worn by officers. It has a supporting strap that goes over the right shoulder. It's named after General Sir Samuel J. Browne (1824–1901), a British Indian Army officer. He created it because he lost his left arm during the Sepoy Rebellion, making it challenging to draw his sword. Browne conceived the notion of donning an additional belt draped over his right shoulder to stabilize the scabbard. This secondary belt would connect to a waist belt equipped with D-rings for attaching accessories. Other officers adopted a similar design, and it eventually became a standard part of the uniform, spreading to other troops during the Boer War.

*Condition*
The shoulder belt is intact, leather remains supple and a good colour and overall the belt is in excellent lightly used condition. Please refer to photographs as part of the condition report.

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