BACKGROUND: Sam Browne was a British officer who was serving in India when he lost his left arm in combat. In that time, officers wore a sword into battle which hung from the waist belt in a frog, but when charging the enemy, the sword had to be steadied with the left hand. Sam was now unable to perform this movement, but cam up with the alternative of wearing a second belt that extended over the right shoulder and held the scabbard in place. It soon became part of the standard uniform. The "Sam Browne" harness was normally worn by officers with the Service Dress Jacket and consisted of a waist belt, one or two cross braces, a pistol holster, an ammunition pouch and a sword frog with hanger straps. The harness items were made from polished bridle leather and depending on the regiment, with brass or white metal fittings. With the introduction of the austerity pattern jacket, the "Sam Browne" harness was replaced with cloth belts.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A "Sam Browne" harness assembly which consists of the belt and single cross strap. The belt is 117cm in length. Nice example.