Improvements in Equipments and Accoutrements.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 17th July, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 28th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 17th Aug.,
1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Equipments and Accoutrements.
I, WILLIAM SILVER OLIVER, M.D., F.R.C.S.I., Deputy Surgeon General,
of the City of Halifax, in the Province of Nova Scotia, in the Dominion of
Canada, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object to distribute the weight of the equipment carried
by a soldier in marching order, whereby he will not be subject to injurious strain
by the load.
My invention consists in the peculiar assemblage and attachment to a main brace
and waist belt, of an improved or modified frog, a reserve ammunition pouch, a coat
yoke, a spade sling, a bag or valise, a bottle holder, a canteen and a kit bag.
The main brace with V-straps attached is curvilinear with a strong broad centre
with obtuse angle upwards towards the back of the neck, and cut away behind,
towards each extremity, to fit the shoulders, it is then cord-shaped for a few inches
and for the remaining portion to the ends a one inch strap and is provided with a
buckle-hook by which the brace is attached to and supports the bag or valise on
the buttocks. At the centre of the main brace posteriorly, is a brass oval loop for
attachment of the coat yoke, and from this part of the brace two straps pass off at
right angles to connect with the back strap buckle of the V-portion of the brace on
each side of the chest. In front of the main brace are two straps extending from
hollow part in front of shoulders, to be attached to front buckles of the V's.
These V-straps of the brace are furnished with a buckle and a brass hook at the
point of the V, for attachment to a D-loop on each side of waist belt.
The waist belt is as ordinarily made but is furnished with two D-loops in front
for attachment of the hooks on the V's of main brace. Owing to my system of
brace, this belt is always to be worn loose or even open on the line of march, and
for such latter purpose a hole is in its tongue to which it can be hooked open.
The ordinary frog I have modified by the addition of a second leather holder
for carriage of an axe, or handle of a spade or pick, as well as a sword or bayonet.
The reserve ammunition pouch is a collapsing bag with a back strap reduced to
the point and riveted to upper edge of the bag. This back strap is for attachment
of pouch to centre of front waist belt, and said pouch is furnished with a contrivance
to prevent the ammunition falling out when the flap of the bag is open by inverting
the anterior wall of the pouch. This pouch is specially introduced into my system
of accoutrements to supersede the present method of carriage of 100 rounds of
ammunition by means of two or more bags or pouches. Its use is not intended for
expense "but for "reserve purposes, while a strong canvas pocket in right of
chest of great coat tunic, or frock coat, is used for broken packages of ammunition
as an expense pouch.
"
The coat yoke consists of two straps crossing each other four inches from buckle
cuds, where they are bound by a cross strap which acts as a rest for the yoke on
the oval brass loop in centre of main brace. The yoke is for carriage of great
coat, blanket &c., on the loop back of the shoulders.
The spade sling is for carriage of a spade or other interchanging tool, in a fixed
position not to incommode the soldier. It consists of a strap having near its buckle
end a leather blade cap which covers the blade of the spade the handle pointing
downwardly and located on either side of the wearer.

page_text: The bag or valise is composed of waterproof canvas furnished with a flap and
three outside straps and an inside pocket. Also, two leather loops outside at back
for waist belt to pass through, and to keep the bag steady on buttocks. Also, for
bag to move on to right front when required, within easy reach, for removal of
contents, without removal of accoutrements or shifting any brace or strap.
Attached to each upper corner of the bag is a brass D-loop, for attachment to
the hooks on main brace and for support of the bag on buttocks. At the lower
end of each side wall of the bag is a pocket externally for carriage within easy
reach of about 20 rounds of extra ammunition. The soldier by unfastening the left
hook from the D-loop on the bag, can move it around on waist belt to his right
front for the removal of ammunition or anything there and he can replace and
rehook the bag instantly without disturbing any part of his equipment. This bag
or valise serves as a "magazine" for storage of food, and a few articles of kit &c.,
and enables the soldier to dispense with ordinary ration bag, two ball bags &c.,
his ration bag and canteen being carried in this bag.
The bottle holder is a leather receptacle for carriage of soda water bottle on a
leather loop on the waist belt, easy of access in a fixed position, and without
necessity of bottle strap, out of soldiers way, being carried on waist belt and behind
right hip.
The canteen consists of a complete inner as well as an outer tin for the reception
and isolation of the meat portion of ration. The cover of inner tin is used for a
plate and that of the outer as a frying pan, and both can be used separately for
drinking, cooking and the reception and carrying of extra rations. The canteen is
carried either inside or on top of bag on centre of bag strap.
My accoutrements are fastened by rivets to obviate thread-rotting if sewed.
The kit is the ordinary waterproof bag used by artillery or for sea kit, and is for
carriage by regimental transport of the soldiers of clothes, boots &c., or for carriage
of those articles when admitted to hospital. In this bag is a smaller one for
reception and isolation of boots, blacking, and brushes and other cleaning utensils.
Dated June 26th 1894.
WILLIAM SILVER OLIVER,
Deputy Surgeon General.
WILLIAM SILVER OLIVER,
Deputy Surgeon General.
Haseltine, Lake & Co., *
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
I, WILLIAM SILVER OLIVER, M.D., F.R.C.S.I., Deputy Surgeon General, of
the City of Halifax, in the Province of Nova Scotia, in the Dominion of Canada,
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:-
My invention has for its object to distribute the weight of the equipment carried
by a soldier in marching order, whereby he will not be subject to injurious strain by
the load.
My invention consists in the peculiar assemblage and attachment to a main brace
and waist belt, of an improved or modified Y shaped strap, a reserve ammunition
pouch, a coat yoke, a spade sling, a bag or valise, a bottle holder, and a
canteen.
Referring to the accompanying drawings
Figure 1, is a front view of a soldier equipped with my infantry accoutrements.:
Fig. 2 is a rear view of the came

page_text: Figs. 5, 5, are views of my improved Y shaped straps connecting the main
brace and waist belt.
Fig. 6, is a front and back view, respectively, of the bottle holder.
Fig. 7, is a front view of the reserve ammunition pouch.
Fig. 8, is a perspective view of the canteen strapped.
Fig. 9, is a perspective view of the spade sling.
Fig. 10, is a view of the crossed straps or yoke for holding great coat, blanket,
and the like.
Fig. 11, is a perspective view of the valise or bag for holding the kit.
Fig. 12, is a view of the straps for holding the canteen.
Fig. 13, is a perspective view showing the application of a spade as carried by
the sling P. Fig. 9.
The main or shoulder brace is composed of two curvilinear straps A. A. connected
together V-shaped at the wider ends to form a strong broad centre with the
obtuse angle upwards towards the back of the neck of the soldier, and cut away
behind towards each extremity, to fit the shoulders; it is then rounded or cord-
formed for a few inches as at a, a, and for the remaining portion to the respective
ends a
one inch strap B, connecting with a buckle, strap and hook E, which
hooks E, engage D-loops, on a bag or valise at the buttocks. At the centre of
the main brace, posteriorly, is a brass oval loop F, for attachment of the coat
voke O, Fig. 10 to the conjoined parts of the main brace, two straps b, b, are
attached and diverge at right angles at the back of the soldier, and c, c, are two
straps secured at one end to the main brace near the front of the shoulders.
The waist belt D, has two D-shaped loops J, J, in front six inches apart
when the belt is fastened, for attachment of the hooks of the Y-straps of the
main brace. Owing to my system of main brace, the waist belt is always to be
worn loose or even open on the march, and for such purpose there is a hole
placed in its tongue M, to which the opposite end can be hooked (see
Figure 4).
My device G, G, for hanging a scabbard, bayonet or the like, cousists of a
Y-shaped strap and connects the main brace and waist belt near the hips,
the divergent ends provided with a buckle d, to connect with the free ends of the
straps b, c, and a hook H, at the convergent end to engage one of the D-shaped
loops J, of the waist belt.
The reserve pouch N, is a strong leather collapsing bag six inches wide by five
and one-half inches in greatest depth, capable of holding 100 rounds of
Lee-Metford ammunition in packages. It has a strong back strap K, (shown in
dotted lines) five inches wide at the top and tapering down to one inch at point,
and strongly attached to the upper edge of the bag by rivets K. This back
strap is for the purpose of attaching said pouch to the front of the waist belt, by
forming a loop through which the waist belt is passed. The pouch is also furnished
with a flap Y. This pouch supersedes the present method of carrying 100 rounds
of ammunition by means of two or more bags or pouches. Said pouch is not
intended for "expense "but for " reserve ammunition only. A strong canvas
pocket in right chest of great coat, tunic or frock coat is used for broken
packages of ammunition, as an "expense" pouch.
"
The coat yoke O, Fig. 10, consists of two three-quarter inch straps each thirty
inches long and, crossing each other four inches from the buckle ends, where they
are bound by a cross strap 0', three inches and one quarter long and one inch
wide, which acts as a rest to bear upon the loop F, when the yoke is threaded
through the loop. The yoke O, is for the carriage of great coat L, blanket or
the like.
The spade sling P, is for the carriage of a spade or other interchanging tool, in a
fixed position and out of the soldier's way. It consists of a three quarter of an inch
strap about 58 inches long the ends buckling together and provided with a

page_text: pocket Q, to insert the blade of the tool or implement, the handle being carried
downwards, and said sling may be worn over the right or left shoulder according
as it may be desired to suspend the implement either at the right or left. hip, the
'spade is supported by the strap, the handle being hung on the strap when the ends
are buckled and the strap rotated lengthwise when on the shoulder until the blade
enters the pocket, the treads of the spade will then overlie the strap and prevent
the spade falling out of the pocket, as shown clearly in Figs. I and 13.
The bag or valise R Fig. 11 is made of waterproof canvas 14 × 9 × 4 in size,
and has a strong inside pocket, and is provided with an outside flap 7, twelve
inches in length, and two straps W W at the back and an intermediate strap W₁
buckling over said flap to prevent it rising. Also two strong leather loops 8, 3,
outside the bag, six inches apart for the waist belt to pass through and keep the
valise or bag steady on buttocks and to permit the bag or valise to be moved to
right front when required, within easy reach for removal of contents without
disturbing the accoutrements or shifting a brace or strap. Attached to each corner
of the bag or valise is a strong brass D-loop T, for attachment to the hooks on.
main brace and support of the bag or valise on buttocks. This bag or valise serves
the part of a "magazine" for food, extra ammunition and a few articles of kit
and the like, and enables the soldier to dispense with ration bag, two ball bags
and the like.
The bottle holder U, Figure 6, is a leather receptacle for carriage of a water
bottle, preferable of the shape having a round bottom, as commonly used for
soda water, and said receptacle consists of a pocket to receive the body of the
bottle, which body is provided on the exterior with a loop 2, through which
to pass the waist belt for carrying said receptacle and bottle easy of access in a
position preferably behind the right hip to be out of the way, in travelling. The
neck of the bottle is encased in a cover 3, which fits over the top of the pocket,
and is fastened thereto by a leather hasp 4.
The canteen, Figure 8, consists of a tin vessel V, having a removable cover V¹,
enclosing an inner vessel V2, (shown in dotted lines) having a like removable cover,
said inner vessel being for the reception and isolation of the meat portion of the
ration. The cover Vi when removed from the outer vessel V, may be used as a
frying pan, and the cover of the inner vessel when removed used as a plate or
for drinking purposes, and said canteen is carried by crossed straps X, X, bound
around the canteen, one strap having loops Z, for any strap of the accoutre-
ment to pass through, whereby the canteen may have different positions if desired,
or it may be carried by the great coat straps on the great coat, according to
convenience.
My accoutrements are fastened by rivets where much strain is exercised, and
not sewed, to obviate the evil caused by sewing thread rotting.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
:
1. The shoulder or main brace, comprising two curvilinear tapering straps A, A,
connected V-form at the wider ends, then rounded and terminating in straps B, B;
two converging back straps c, c, secured to the juncture of said straps A, A; two
front straps b, b, secured at one end to the curvilinear straps, intermediately of the
rounded portion and wider ends and extending in an opposite direction to the
straps c, c; a metallic loop F, at the jointure of the curvilinear straps; a strap,
buckle and hook E, attached to said straps B, B; and the Y-shaped straps or
devices G, G, connected to said straps b, c, each Y-shaped device comprising a
V-shaped strap provided with a buckle at the divergent ends and a hook at the
convergent end to engage the D-loops of a waist belt, as set forth.
2. The waist belt D, having metallic D-loops J, J, and provided with a
perforated tongue M, attached to and projecting from one conjoining end, as set
north.
I

page_text: 3. The reserve ammunition collapsing pouch N, having a tapering back strap K,
riveted to the upper edge for attachment to waist belt, and a leather flap Y, as set
forth.
4. The Y-shaped devices G, consisting of a V-shaped strap provided with a
buckle at the divergent ends and a hook H, at the convergent end, as set
forth.
5. The combination of the main brace A, A, Y-shaped devices G, G, waist
belt D, valise H, reserve pouch N, coat yoke O, spade sling P, bottle holder U,
and canteen V, constructed as set forth.
6. The combination of the main or shoulder brace A, A, Y-shaped devices G, G,
and waist belt D, constructed as set forth.
7. The combination of the main or shoulder brace A, A, Y-shaped devices G, G,
waist belt D, and reserve pouch N, constructed as set forth.
8. The main or shoulder brace, comprising the straps A, A, B, B, b, b, c, c, and
the buckle, strap and hook attachment E, as set forth.
9. The spade sling P, having a pocket Q, as and for the purpose set forth.
10. The combination of the main or shoulder brace A, having a loop F, and
the coat yoke, comprising crossed straps O, and intersecting strap 0, as set
forth.
Dated this 3rd day of August 1895.
HASELTINE, LAKE
Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.