Improvements in Military Equipments or Accoutrements.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Sept., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 22nd June, 1893-Accepted, 19th Aug., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Military Equipments or Accoutrements.
We, ROBERT ELSDON, of The Highlands, Burnt Ash Hill, Lee, in the County
of Kent, Gentleman, and CHARLES ARTHUR JONES, of 21 Waite Street,
Trafalgar Road, Old Kent Road, in the County of Surrey, Leather Cutter, do
hereby declare the nature of the said invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in equipments and accoutrements
intended for the use of soldiers, volunteers and the like, and has for its object the
simplification of the various parts of the equipment, both as regards its manufacture
and use, and the increase of its efficiency and usefulness under the varying
circumstances under which it is employed.
The equipment consists in general terms of a waist belt provided with the
necessary dees, and other fittings for attaching the braces, ammunition pouches,
frogs, water bottle, etcetera in the usual manner. Supporting straps are attached
to the front of the waist belt and to the front end of the brace by a special
fitting to be hereafter described. The braces pass one over each shoulder, being
united at or about the centre of the wearer's back by a special device to be also
hereinafter more fully described and their ends being connected to suitable dees
provided at the back of the waist belt for that purpose. The valise is preferably
carried by straps passing round the back of the waist belt and is steadied by a
supplementary strap which passes from the lower part of the valise to the special
fitting which connects the front end of the brace to the beforementioned supporting
straps. The mess tin is preferably carried on the top of the valise and held in
place by a strap passing round the braces or through the beforementioned special
device connected to the brace straps at or about the centre of the back. The
great coat is preferably carried by straps which pass from the back of the wearer
aud are connected to the brace straps in front by special hook connections to be
hereafter more fully described. The ammunition pouches are or may be of special
construction and are carried in front as usual, one on each side of the waist belt
fastening.
The special fitting hereinbefore referred to, for connecting the front end of each
brace to its supporting strap, consists of a square or oblong metal frame to the top
and bottom bars of which are hinged movable buckles each consisting of two
sides and a connecting bar, the ends of the two sides being formed with eyes which
surround the end bar of the oblong frame. Each of the end bars of the said
square or oblong frame also has hinged thereto a tongue, the whole forming a kind
of double buckle frame the lower portion of which receives the supporting strap
and the strap of the flap or cover of the ammunition pouch when it is desired to
hold the said flap or cover open, and the upper portion of which receives the front
end of the brace and also the loose end of the great coat carrying strap. One
end of the beforementioned strap for steadying the valise may be attached to one
of the side bars of the square or oblong frame and thence under the waist belt
and through a metal loop on the lower part of the valise, back to a buckle on its
other end.
The special device hereinbefore referred to, for uniting the brace straps at or
about the centre of the wearer's back, consists of an upper and a lower frame
hinged together in such a manner that they are free to assume any suitable angle
in relation to one another according to the movements of the wearer and the
varying strain thrown upon the different straps connected to the said frames.
The top and bottom bars of these two frames may be provided with movable
buckles similar to those hereinbefore described. Both of the above described

page_text: special devices are preferably constructed of metal wire, thus ensuring not only
cheapness of manufacture but also great strength with a minimum of weight.
The great coat is rolled up and held together by a pair of straps connected by
two transverse straps, one of which is fixed at one end to one great coat strap the
other end being free so that it can be passed behind the braces and then attached
by a buckle or stud to the other great coat strap, thus holding the great coat
steady and in place. The other transverse strap is preferably stiffened by a rod
or bar being sewn or otherwise connected thereto, and is attached at its two ends
to the two great coat straps. The back ends of the great coat carrying straps
are connected by swivel or rivet joints at suitable points to the beforementioned
rod or bar and are passed thence over the shoulders lying on the brace straps, to
which they are connected at the front of the wearer by the following device. To
the under side of the front portion of each brace is attached a plate having a
downwardly projecting hook or tongue which latter passes through a hole in the
brace to the front thereof. On the underside of each of the great coat carrying
straps is or are formed one or more metallic loops or eyes adapted to take under
the beforementioned hook or tongue on the brace, the said loops or eyes being
retained in position on the hooks or tongues both by the upward pull on the
carrying straps due to the weight of the great coat, and also by the spring of the
said hook or tongue.
In some cases, instead of providing more than one metallic
loop or eye on each of the carrying straps, several holes may be provided in each
of the braces and the plate carrying the hook or tongue may be adapted to be
shifted in order to effect the necessary amount of adjustment. This device may
also be employed as a means of attaching the water bottle carriage to the waist
belt and for other similar purposes.
•
The improvements hereinbefore referred to in connection with the ammunition
pouch consists in forming the top of the pouch of two strips of thick cloth or felt
attached to the front, back and ends of the top of the pouch in such a manner as
to allow of the introduction and withdrawal of the hand between the adjacent
edges of the said strips when it is desired to withdraw a cartridge, but to prevent
the said cartridges from jumping or rolling out of the pouch when the wearer is
running or in a prone position.
Dated this 21st day of September 1892.
R. ELSDON,
C. A. JONES,
Per W. H. Beck,
115, Cannon Street, London, E.C., Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Military Equipments or Accoutrements.
We, ROBERT ELSDON, of The Highlands, Burnt-Ash-Hill, Lee, in the County
of Kent, Gentleman, and CHARLES ARTHUR JONES, of 21 Waite Street,
Trafalgar Road, Old Kent Road, in the County of Surrey, Leather Cutter, 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, reference being had to the accompanying two sheets of drawings, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
This invention relates to certain improvements in equipments and accoutrements
intended for the use of soldiers, volunteers and the like, and has for its object the
simplification of the various parts of the equipment, both as regards its manufacture
and use, and the increase of its efficiency and usefulness in the varying circum-
stances under which it is employed.
The equipment consists in general terms of a waist belt provided with the
necessary dees, and other fittings for attaching the braces, ammunition pouches.
frogs, water bottle, etcetera, in the usual manner. Supporting straps are attached

page_text: to the front end of the brace by a special fitting to be hereinafter described. The
braces pass one over each shoulder, being united at or about the centre of the
wearer's back by a special device to be also hereinafter more fully described, and
their ends being connected by suitable dees provided at the back of the waist-belt
for that purpose. If it is desired to carry the valise on the lower part of the man's
back it is preferably supported in position by means of straps passing round the
back of the waist belt and is steadied by a supplementary strap which passes from
the lower part of the valise to the special fitting which connects the front end of
the brace to the beforementioned supporting straps. And when the great coat is
arranged on the upper part of the man's back it is carried by straps which pass
from the back of the wearer and are connected to the brace straps in front by
special hook connections to be hereinafter more fully described. But it is obvious
that the positions of the valise and great coat may be reversed, the valise occupying
the upper, and the great coat the lower position on the back of the wearer. The
mess tin is preferably carried more or less in the centre of the wearer's back
between the great coat and valise, and is held in place by a strap passing round the
braces, or through the beforementioned special device connected to the brace straps
at or about the centre of the back. The ammunition pouches are or may be of
special construction, and are carried in front as usual one on each side of the waist
belt fastening.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure represents a sketch view of an equipment manufactured and arranged
in accordance with this invention, the various parts being shewn loosely and
approximately in the position they should occupy upon the figure of the wearer.
Figures 2 and 3, 4 and 5, 6 and 7, 8 and 9, 10 and 11 represent detail views of
various parts of the equipment.
Similar letters relate to like parts in all the figures of the drawings.
Referring more especially to Figure 1 A is the waist belt, B B₁ the braces, the
front end of each of which is connected to one of the supporting straps C by means
of the special fitting D, and being united at or about the centre of the wearer's
back by means of the special device E which is itself connected with the waist
belt A by the short brace straps B' B' and the dees A¹. F is the valise, which is
represented in the figure as being carried on the upper part of the back of the
wearer, and supported by the carrying straps G, each of which is attached to the
brace strap by means of the special hook connections H. J is the great coat which
is represented in the figure as being carried at the lower part of the back of the
wearer, and supported by carrying straps K which pass round the inside of the belt
and through the dees A¹ thereon. L is the case containing the mess tin which is held
in place by the strap M which surrounds it and passes through the dee N on the
waist belt A and also through one of the loops of the special device E as shewn,
the ends being fastened by a buckle in the usual way, or it may pass round to the
back of such device over the top thereof if preferred. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate,
in front and side view respectively, the special fitting Dhereinbefore referred to.
It consists of an oblong metal frame, to the top and bottom bars D' of which are
hinged movable buckles each consisting of two sides D2 and a connecting bar D³,
the sides D2 being formed with eyes D4 which surround the top and bottom bars Di
of the frame D. Each of the bars D' also has hinged thereto a tongue D³ the
whole forming a kind of double buckle frame. One end of the supporting strap C
(Figure 1) is attached to the lowermost of the bars D', the other end of which
strap is then passed through a metal loop O on the belt A, and up through the
lowermost buckle D2 D3 to which it is adjustably connected by means of the
tongue D. The loose end of the strap C is then threaded through the frame D as
shewn in Figure 1, and neatly stowed away. The front of the brace strap B is
attached to the upper bar D', and the upper buckle D2 D3 forms an adjustable
attachment for the end of the valise-carrying strap G as shewn in Figure 1. The
strap P, which serves as a steadying strap either to the great coat (as shewn in
Figure 1) or to the valise, according to which of those two articles is carried at the

page_text: 10wer part of the wearer's back, is also threaded through the frame D and the
dee A, its ends being fastened by a buckle. The strap Q2 of the flap or cover Q
of the ammunition pouch Q may also be held in the open position by means of the
lower buckle D2 D3, or by simply threading its end through the frame D.
When the valise F is carried on the lower part of the man's back, in place of the
great coat J as shewn in Figure 1, one end of the steadying strap P may be passed
through the frame 1) as shewn in Figure 1, thence between the waist belt A and
the wearer's back, through a metal loop on the lower part of the valise, and back
to a buckle on its other end. And when the great coat J is carried at the upper
part of the man's back, it is first rolled up and held together by a pair of straps K K¹
(see Figures 1A and 1B, which are front and end views respectively of the great
coat and straps for holding same). These straps K K' are connected together by
two transverse straps K2 K³. The strap K2 is fixed at the end K' to the strap K
as shewn, its other end being passed behind the two brace straps B at the upper
part of the man's back, and then attached by a buckle, stud, or other fastening K³,
to the strap K. The strap K³ is preferably stiffened by a light rod or bar, sewn
or otherwise connected thereto, and is attached at its two ends to the straps K K'.
The ends of the carrying straps G are connected by swivel or rivet joints at
suitable points (at K for example) to the said rod or bar and are passed over the
shoulders and fastened as herein before described with reference to the valise-
carrying straps.
Figures 4 and 5 are front and side views respectively of the special device E
(Figure 1) for uniting the long brace straps B and short brace straps B' at or
about the centre of the wearer's back. It consists of an upper frame E¹, and a
lower frame E2, hinged, threaded, or looped together as at E³, in such a manner
that they are free to assume any suitable angle in relation to one another
according to the movements of the wearer, and the varying strain thrown upon
the different straps connected to the said frames. E' are buckles similar to those
herein before described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, and if desired two similar
buckles may be provided on the lower bar of the frame E2. In Figure 1 the long
brace straps B are shown adjustably connected to the above described device E,
and permanently connected to the device D, and the short brace straps B¹ are
shown permanently connected to the device E, and adjustably connected to the
dees A on the belt A. The loop E (Figures 4 and 5) forms a means whereby
the mess tin I may be firmly kept in place by its strap M as hereinbefore described
It will be seen that the devices illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, 4 and 5 are so
designed and arranged as to be preferably constructed of metal wire thus ensuring
not only cheapness of manufacture, but also great strength with a minimum
of weight. But it is obvious that they may if desired be made from castings or
otherwise.
Figures 6 and 7 are front and dge views respectively of the device H employed
for keeping the carrying straps (Figure 1) in place ou the brace straps B,
whether such straps are employed for carrying the valise F, as in Figure 1, or
the great coat, as hereinbefore described. To the underside of each of the carrying-
straps G is attached, by rivets II' or otherwise, a plate suitably shaped as at II³
to form an upwardly projecting hook, which is adapted to take into one of a series
of holes in the brace strap B on which the carrying strap G lies, and is kept in
place thereon by the said hook H³. It will be understood that the spring of the
hook H³, together with the upward pull on the carrying straps G due, to the
weight of the valise F (or the great coat, as the case may be), tend to keep
the said hook in place. In some cases the plate H2 may be attached to the under-
side of the brace strap B, and the hook H³ made to project in a downward direction
through a hole in the said brace to the front thereof, and take on to a metal loop,
eye, or other device on the underside of the carrying strap. The required amount
of adjustment may be provided for by arranging the necessary number of holes in
the straps, or providing for the adjustment of position of the plate H2, or the
borementioned metal loops. We prefer the arrangement illustrated in the

page_text: drawings because it obviates the employment of any projecting parts on the front
of the brace B, or the carrying strap G, which might come in the way of the rifle
or other arm, when such is carried on or rested against the shoulder. The
device H may also be employed for other similar purposes; for example, as a
means of attaching the water bottle carriage to the waist belt. But in cases where
the water bottle is slung by a carrying strap passing over one shoulder and across the
body, we prefer to employ a leather carriage for the water-bottle, somewhat of
the usual kind, but with a loose and independent carrying strap. Figures 10 and 11
are front and side elevations of a water bottle so mounted and carried. R is the
bottle which may be of steel, wood, glass or other suitable material. I' is the
leather carriage, provided at its upper part with metal loops R2, and at its lower
part with studs or rivets R³. R is the carrying strap the two ends of which are
provided with brass bound eyes R³ of a keyhole shape as shewn. These ends
are threaded through the loops R2 and the enlarged portions of the eyes R' are
then passed over the heads of the studs R³, and the straps drawn tight, the heads
of the said studs preventing the ends of the straps R₁ from becoming accidentally
detached. By this arrangement the water bottle may be readily detached for
filling purposes, or for drinking, by simply unhooking the carrying straps R* from
the studs R³.
Figures 8 and 9 are transverse section and plan respectively of an ammunition
pouch having our improvements applied thereto. Qis the pouch which may be
somewhat of the ordinary construction and fitted with a flap or cover Q', with
fastening strap Q2 as shewn. Q³ are two strips of thick felt, cloth or other suitable
yielding material attached, by stitching or otherwise, to the front Q', back Q, and
ends Q, of the top of the pouch as shewn. The ends of the strips Q³ are cut at
an angle as shewn in Figure 9 and are stitched or otherwise attached to the ends
or gussets Q when the latter are partly folded. By this means the adjacent free
edges of the strips are kept always in contact whether the pouch be full and open
or empty and closed, the said strips Q' folding flat against one another when the
pouch is empty and closed. We also prefer to cut the edges Q7 of the strips Q³
with a slight bevel as shewn so as to ensure the said strips having a normal down-
ward slope even when the pouch is fully open. It will be understood that these
strips will permit of the introduction and withdrawal of the hand between their
adjacent edges when it is desired to withdraw a cartridge, but they effectually
prevent the said cartridges from jumping or rolling out of the pouch when the
wearer is running, or is in a prone position. When the pouch is empty the
strips Q3 fold together and form no obstacle to the pouch being completely
collapsed as usual.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. The improved military equipment or accoutrement consisting of the waist
belt A, brace straps B B', supporting straps C, the double buckle frames D,
steadying straps P, and device E, combined and arranged substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated in the drawings, and for the purposes specified.
Second. In a military equipment or accoutrement the use of the hook H on the
brace strap B, or on the valise or great-coat carrying-strap G, for the purpose of
securing and fastening the said valise or great-coat carrying-strap to the brace B,
as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in the drawings.
Third. In a military equipment or accoutrement the use of the stiffened strap K³
in combination with the carrying-straps G, and the straps K K' for the purpose of
connecting the great-coat to the equipment, substantially as herein before described,
and illustrated in the drawings.
Fourth. The combination of the braces B B¹ with the device E at or about the
centre of the back, substantially as herein before described, and illustrated in the
drawings, and for the purpose specified.

page_text: Fifth. The double buckle frame D for the purpose of connecting together the
brace straps B and supporting straps C, substantially as hereinbefore described, and
illustrated in the drawings.
Sixth. The device E connecting the brace straps at or about the centre of the
back, constructed and applied substantially as herein before described, and illustrated
in the drawings, and for the purposes specified.
Seventh. The improvement in ammunition pouches which consists in the use
of strips of felt, cloth or other suitable yielding material, secured to the pouch
with their adjacent edges free and with their fixed ends and edges cut and secured at
an angle as herein before described, and illustrated in the drawings, and for the
purpose specified.
...
T 1000
R. ELSDON.
C. A. JONES.
W. H. Beck,
Per S. E. Gunyon,
115, Cannon Street, London, E.C., Agent.