Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Dec., 1886.
Complete Left, 1st Sept., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 14th Oct., 1887.
I SPENCER FREDERICK CHICHESTER Captain Royal Scots Fusiliers, Barracks,
Ayr, N. B. do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
An Equipment for the Soldier, consisting of 1st Leather Cross Braces, broad on the
Shoulder, and for about 3 to 6 inches to front and rear, and gradually tapering,
smaller finishing in front from 4 to 6 inches from top of Shoulders with brass rings,
to which are attached Straps with Buckles, the Straps to pass through eyelets in
Waistbelt and buckle to buckle of Strap, to support Waistbelt and the Ammunition
carried in front; also are attached to the brass rings of the Braces, moveable Straps--
known as Supporting Straps-which when worn on the rings of the braces have their
ends buckled to buckles at the bottom of the Valise to divide the weight and keep the
Valise steady. These Supporting Straps when the Valise is not worn are removed
from the rings, buckled together, and making one strap, are passed through a ring or
loop at the back of the Braces, where they cross and round the Soldier's Mess Tin,
to buckle it to the Braces to enable it to be carried underneath the Great Coat, when
the Valise is not worn; in the braces at the broad part, about the shoulders behind,
are cut about 6 apertures, about 1 inch or inch in length, about an inch apart and
broad enough to allow a strap to be passed through with a twist to which is buckled
the Soldier's Great Coat, these Straps known as Coat Straps, are two in number, one
being passed through each brace.
The Braces cross in rear about the centre of the back, passing through leather loops,
sewn on the underneath side of either brace, the underneath one being passed through
the top one, and finish as Straps about one inch or inch and a quarter wide, with
holes punched to fasten on to the end Buckles of the bolster Valise to support it, or
when the Valise is not worn to fasten to the end Buckles of the reserve Ammunition
Pouch to support it-These braces being adjustable in length in front and rear are
suitable to men of any height.-A small leather loop or ring is sewn on to each brace
about where they cross to admit of the Strap supporting the Canteen being passed
through it to attach Canteen to the back beneath the Coat when the Valise is
not worn

page_text: The Valise is a round bolster Valise to hold the soldier's kit closed at the bottom
by means of four buckles and straps-the two outside buckles being double buckles
pointing in opposite directions, one to fasten the Valise, the opposite buckle to receive
the end of the Supporting Straps, previously mentioned.
The Valise is cylindrical with an opening of about from 6 to 8 inches at the side,
to allow packing it, and having a flap extending 6 inches beyond the opening, and
closing at the bottom of the Valise by means of the buckles previously described.
At each end of the Valise is sewn a buckle about 1 inch or 1½ inch, the buckles
slanting up and pointing towards a man's shoulders, and to these buckles are buckled
the back ends of the cross Braces so as to support the Valise.
On the top part of the Valise are sewn four runners in two rows through which are
passed the two straps of the Reserve Ammunition Pouch which is buckled to the
Valise and carried on the top of it in Marching Order. At the back of the Valise,
i.e. the part nearest the man's back is sewn a Surcingle or Circular Strap, which at
the point of sewing it to the Valise is about two or three inches wide, and continuing
that breadth for about 3 inches downwards, and then tapering from each end of the
broad part to a strap and buckle about one inch broad, and long enough after passing
the broad part behind the Waist Belt to come up round the underneath of the Valise
to buckle on the top of the Canteen which is placed on the Reserve Ammunition
Pouch, and thus securing the Reserve Ammunition Pouch, and Canteen on the top
part of the Cylindrical Valise, in which place it is intended to carry them when the
Valise is worn.
The Reserve Ammunition Pouch is a Pouch with an overlapping flap and ends
capable of carrying 40 rounds of ammunition having straps at the back and buckles
at the bottom, so as to admit of its being strapped on to the top of the Valise through
the runners previously described, or on to the Waist belt behind when the Valise is
not worn, at each end of the Pouch are buckles 14 inches in breadth to enable the
back ends of the cross braces being buckled to them to support the Pouch on the
Waistbelt behind when the Valise is not worn.
At the top of the Pouch in the centre is sewn a Runner to admit of the Canteen
Strap being passed through it to secure Canteen between Pouch and Great Coat if
necessary when not worn with the Valise.
Ammunition Pouches, two in number capable of holding 20 rounds of ammunition
each, and fastened one on each side of Waistbelt in front, the inner strap of Pouch
being passed through the eyelet in Waistbelt.
Coat Straps two in number to pass through apertures at top of braces to carry
Great Coat (and Coat Waterproof Valise when required).
Coat Waterproof Valise A small Waterproof Sheet about one yard broad and
4 feet long having at head a pocket about 18 inches or 20 inches in breadth, in
which can be packed the Great Coat (also a Shirt and pair of Socks if required) the
sides of the sheet beyond the Pocket folding inwards to admit of remainder of sheet
being rolled up round the top pocket and forming a small Valise.
The Waistbelt, a belt with buckle in front and adjustable as to girth at side having
an eyelet on each side of buckle on top edge of belt, to take front strap of braces, and
the inner strap of the Ammunition Pouches.
N.B. This Equipment to be made in any material best suited, and if preferable
the cross braces can be connected in rear by means of a brass ring.
Dated this 14th day of December 1886.
SPENCER F. CHICHESTER, Captain,
Adj. 4th Royal Scots Fusiliers.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Equipment for Soldiers.
I, SPENCER FREDERICK CHICHESTER Captain in the Royal Scots Fusiliers Barracks,
Ayr, N.B. do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
An equipment for Soldiers consisting of (1) Leather Cross Braces, broad on the
Shoulders, and for about 3 to 6 inches from front to rear and gradually tapering
smaller both ways, finishing in front from 4 to 6 inches from the top of the Shoulders,
with brass rings to which are attached straps with buckles, the straps to
pass through
eyelets in the Waistbelt and buckle to buckle of Strap, so as to support the Waistbelt
and ammunition carried in front; also are attached to the brass rings of the braces
moveable straps known as supporting straps, which when worn on the rings of the
braces, have their ends buckled to buckles at the bottom of the Valise to divide the
weight, and keep the Valise steady-These supporting straps (8), when the Valise is
not worn, are removed from the rings, and used to buckle the Soldiers Mess Tin (10)
on to the Braces, in centre of the back, and above the reserve ammunition Pouch, one
strap being passed over the top of the Mess Tin behind the braces, and through the
loops at the back of them, and through a loop on the top of Reserve Ammunition
Pouch, is brought round the bottom of Mess Tin, and buckled on the top of it, the
other strap is passed round the back of the Braces and buckled round the mess tin
sides, about the centre to steady it, or if preferred these two straps may be buckled
together, and form one strap, and placed in the position just described for the first
strap This will enable the Mess Tin to be carried between Reserve Ammunition
Pouch, and the Great Coat or Waterproof Sheet Valise.-In each of the Braces at
the broad part about the Shoulders behind are cut from 4 to 6 apertures, about
one inch or inch in length about one inch apart, and broad enough to allow a strap
to be passed through with a Twist, to which is buckled the Soldiers Great Coat, or
Waterproof Sheet Valise when worn, these straps known as Coat Straps are two in
number, one being passed through each brace, or if preferred in place of cutting
apertures in the Braces-pieces of leather may be sewn on to form loops for the
Great Coat Straps, to be passed through.-The Braces cross in rear about the centre
of the back, passing through leather loops sewn on the underneath side of either
brace, the underneath brace being passed through the loop of the top one, and finish
as straps about an inch and a quarter wide with holes punched in them to fasten on to
the end buckles of the Bolster Valise to support it, or when the Valise is not worn to
fasten on to the end buckles of the Reserve Ammunition Pouch to support it.-The
Braces being adjustable in length in front and rear are suitable to men of any height,
and the Braces are exactly similar in pattern, and can each either be used as right or
left braces.
(2) The Valise is a round bolster valise to hold the Soldiers Kit closed at the
bottom by means of four buckles and straps, the two outside or end buckles being
double buckles pointing in opposite directions, one to fasten the Valise to close it, the

page_text: opposite buckle to receive the ends of the supporting straps previously mentioned-
The Valise is circular with an opening of about from 6 to 8 inches at the side to
allow packing it and having a flap extending 6 inches beyond the opening, and
closing at the bottom of the Valise by means of the straps and buckles previously
described; two small straps and buckles appear on the Valise under the flap to assist
in closing the actual mouth-At each end of the Valise is sewn a strong buckle,
about an inch or inch and a quarter in breadth, the buckles slanting upwards and
pointing towards a mans shoulders, and to these buckles are buckled the back ends of
the cross Braces, so as to support the Valise-On the top part of the Valise are sewn
four runners in two parallel rows through which are passed the two straps of the
Reserve Ammunition Pouch which is fastened on to the Valise and carried on the top
of it in Marching Order.
At the back of the Valise i.e. the part nearest the man's back is sewn a surcingle (9)
or long strap and buckle, which at the point of sewing it on to the Valise is about
two or three inches wide, and continuing that breadth for about 3 inches downwards,
and then tapering from each end of the broad part to a strap and buckle about an
inch broad, and long enough after passing the broad part behind the Waistbelt to
come up round the underneath of the Valise through the loop on top of Reserve
Ammunition Pouch, and buckle on to the top of the Mess Tin (10) which is placed
on the Reserve Ammunition Pouch, and thus securing the Reserve Ammunition
Pouch, and Mess Tin on the top part of the Circular Valise in which place it is
intended to carry them when the Valise is worn.
(3) The Reserve Ammunition Pouch is a pouch with an overlapping flap and ends,
and capable of carrying 40 rounds of ammunition, having two straps sewn on to the
bottom, and passing round the back over the top where they fasten onto brass studs
(or buckles if preferred) continuing down the pouch and fastened on to brass studs
beyond the flap to close it, these straps admit of the pouch being fastened on to the
top of the Valise through the runners previously described or on to the Waistbelt
when the Valise is not worn.-In addition to these straps and studs, in the centre of
pouch is a stud and short tongue to button on to the pouch to close it in the ordinary
way in the first instance. At each end of the pouch are buckles one inch or one and
a quarter inches in breadth, to enable the back end of the cross Braces being buckled
to them to support the Pouch on the Waistbelt behind when the Valise is not worn,
and prevent the weight of ammunition dropping on the waist-At the top of the
pouch in the centre is sewn a runner to admit of the Mess Tin Strap being passed
through it to secure the Mess Tin between the Pouch and Great Coat, if necessary
when not worn with the Valise, and when worn with the Valise as already described
to allow the Valise Surcingle being passed through the loop to steady the pouch.
(4) Ammunition Pouches two in number capable of holding 20 rounds of ammuni-
tion each, and fastened one on each side of the Waistbelt in front, the inner strap of
each pouch being passed through the brass eyelet in the Waistbelt already brought
to notice.
(5) Coat Straps two in number to pass through apertures at back of braces near
the shoulders, previously referred to, to carry Great Coat and Waterproof Sheet Valise
when worn.
(6) Waterproof Sheet Valise is a small Waterproof Sheet about five feet long, with
a pocket at top about 18 or 20 inches broad, in which can be packed, Great Coat,
Shirt, Socks, Towel, Soap & Brush, and such small articles of kit as the soldier may
require for the march.-The sheet beyond the pocket when laid out is a yard broad,
having on each side a side of 9 inches which folds inwards towards the centre leaving
the sheet when ready for rolling up only 18 inches wide, i.e. equal to breadth of the
Pocket at top. This is used on active service as will be seen by diagrams, the circular
Valise being left at the base, and forwarded on as opportunity offers, or circumstances
render necessary.
(7) The Waistbelt a belt with buckle in front or an S fastening and adjustable as
to girth at the side, having an eyelet on each side of buckle on the top edge of Belt
to take front straps of braces, and the inner straps of the ammunition pouches.

page_text: N.B. This equipment to be made in any material best suited, and if preferable
the Cross Braces can be connected in rear by means of a brass ring.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
:-
1st. That this equipment enables the soldier to carry his ammunition on service
perfectly balanced with much less fatigue than other methods now known, and with
little or no weight dragging on his stomach.
2nd. That having removed the strap under the arms usual in equipments I have
achieved greater freedom of action to the mans arm firing &c. & removed any effects
of strap cutting, also considerably reduced the causes of perspiration, thus rendering
the chances of various forms of Catarrh far less to the wearer.
3rd. The Circular Valise to be easier stowed, and more comfortable to bear.
4th. Greater Ventilation in the back, and almost all dragging on the chest removed,
owing to the perfect balance achieved.
5th. That with the Waterproof Sheet Valise a man is independent of baggage,
tents and bedding, having his waterproof sheet to protect him from damp ground,
and inclement weather, and his great coat and kit with him for cleanliness and
comfort, thus enabling men to go for certain periods, independent of baggage, and
thereby considerably reducing the transport required for an Army in the Field.
6th. That the introduction of a circular Valise; reserve ammunition pouch of this
form and Water proof Sheet Valise are entirely new inventions in valise equipments.
Dated this 31st day of Angna 1887
SPENCER F. CHICHESTER, Captain,
Royal Scots Fusiliers,
The Barracks, Ayr, N. B.
SPENCER F. CHICHESTER, Captain,
Royal Scots Fusiliers,
The Barracks, Ayr, N. B.