Original Wwii Army

Pre-WWII USMC Army Officer's M1921 "Sam Browne" Belt (made of true horsehide'Shell Cordovan'), Size 36. + The size " 36 " is stamped next to the large brass Catch for the large frame Double-prong BUCKLE. These were worn by USMC and Army officers during the interwar years and early WWII.

Lindberg on May 22, 1944 flew a combat strafing mission with VMF-222 over islands near Rabaul! + Size 36 (fits a 5 inch range, 33 - 38). This set can be completely disassembled for cleaning and separate polishing of the Cordovan and the brass Buckles and Hardware!

+ As was the case 99% of time, the Belt was worn WITHOUT the M1902 Officer Saber, but simply as a part of the Dress Blouse "uniform of the day, " and half the time the officer simply unfastened and set aside the the small matching leather Frog and chain-link' German silver' Sword Hanger as a superfluous item for that day. + This light warm russet Cordovan"Sam Browne" Belt was worn by both U. Officers alike during the inter-war years as well as the early months of WWII, until AR 600-35, No. 22 (Army Regulations), June 7, 1942, declared them'obsolete,' being replaced by the less expensive cloth belt for the officer's blouse.

Note: Sale is for the Belt and Shoulder Strap only. The Officer's Saber and the Sword Hanger and NOT a part of this sale.

A chain-mesh M1902 SWORD HANGER, made of "German nickel silver, " with Locking Snap Hook is listed for sale separately on this site. Made of true Shell Cordovan, i. Select horsehide, the very finest, most durable leather used for belts and boots. Highly polished cast brass hardware, and fashioned with old-world craftsmanship. This is NOT an inexpensive belt made of single-layer cowhide! This is a custom-made belt of the highest quality. + This Belt and Cross-Strap set date from the 1930s. Belt "36" (fits 34 to 38). Cross-Strap "38" (for a taller officer). + The pair of brass Studs that secure the Cross-Belt are "two-piece" that SCREW together and can be unscrewed for easy removal and polishing. The coin-edges of the studs are'knurled. This is a'high end feature of this set. + The Leather is supple! ZERO cracks,'crazing,' dry rot, stains, major scuffs, mildew stains, creases, or storage damage of any sort. This set is has seen very careful use, but is completely unmarked. No officer's name lettered or stenciled.
+ This is from the Service Company, a prominent supplier of quality equestrian boots, "Sam Browne" belts during the interwar-era. + This Belt has the correct distinctive'WIDE-frame' solid brass Double-prong BUCKLE, not the'narrow-wire frame' Buckle with rounded corners of First World War and also favored by the British during the Second. + The matching Belt and Cross-Strap are free of dry rot, cracks, de-lamination, breaks in stitching, etc. + All of the Hardware is bright, gleaming and free of verdigris. The two Buckles (large and small), the two threaded Studs, the two rounded D-Rings are solid cast brass and stamped on the reverse.

The hindquarter portion of the hide used for shell cordovan begins at about 24? From the tail and extends 24-28? On either side of the horse. The exact size depends on the particular horse. Shell cordovan is exceptionally durable. The pores are so dense on the hindquarters of a horse that they are not visible to the naked eye. The hide is naturally resistant to water (though not impervious) as well as stretching. Instead of creasing, shell cordovan ripples. Since creasing can lead to cracks in the leather, the tendency to ripple rather than crease helps to preserve the surface of the leather and the overall lifespan of the shoe.

Furthermore, shell cordovan ages very well and develops a particularly beautiful patina over time. A well-cared-for belt or pair of shoes can truly last you a lifetime. It wasn't until the 19th century that shell cordovan was connected with the specific type of tanned horsehide that is used today.

In the middle of the century, German and Dutch tanners arrived in the US with their trade for "spiegelwahre", which translates to "mirror ware". The name is a reference to the fact that polished cordovan achieves a mirror-like finish. Their profession became known as "Cordwainers". Shell cordovan in the 19th century was a thick, tough leather prized more for its durable nature than for its good looks. It was commonly used for leather razor strops until the'safety razor' emerged around WWI and the industry had to pivot to a new product.

Century, American tanners further improved the tanning techniques to make shell cordovan softer and more appropriate for shoes and belts. Today, only a few factories in the world tan shell cordovan. Among them, the most recognized is Horween , which is based in Chicago. The high price tag of cordovan comes down to the low supply of hides, the high demand for them, and the long, complicated tanning process.

The Sam Browne Belt Gave U. Dorr, November 26, 2011, (DEFENSE MEDIA NETWORK). Nothing else looked quite like the Sam Browne belt, worn as part of the U.
Army uniform between the world wars. The belt was adopted directly from British usage and was worn by commissioned officers only. Pershing's American Expeditionary Force arrived in France in 1917, officers worked and fought in their service uniforms. The Army had no separate attire for combat like the fatigues of later years or today's Army Combat Uniform. While there were pockets on the officer uniform coat that allowed small items to be carried, the uniform offered no practical way for an officer to carry a pistol, first aid kit or ammunition pouch - except in the officer's hands, which needed to be free.

A retired Army lieutenant colonel and an authority on Army equipment, said in an interview that, American officers saw their British counterparts wearing a distinctive leather belt with one cross strap over their uniform coats. It was not only handsome but, because the strap crossed over the shoulder it allowed items to be carried without falling or sagging. In The Doughboys (New York: Harper & Row, 1963), author Lawrence Stallings wrote that the designer of the belt was a "round bellied British general" named General Sir Samuel J.

While the Sam Browne was popular with Americans and quickly acquired the nickname "Liberty Belt, " Army Chief of Staff Gen. Payton March disliked the belt. An Army bulletin in October 1917 decreed that Sam Browne belts would not be worn within the limits of the United States. New Army uniform regulations in 1921 specified that "all officers" were to wear the Sam Browne belt at all times when not in quarters. Pershing had replaced March as Army chief of staff, so the new rule came as no surprise.

Officially, however, the Sam Browne did not go away until June 7, 1942, when change No. 22 to Army Regulation AR 600-35 announced that the leather officer's belt was abolished.

Browne commanded the 2nd Punjab in several engagements, and was decorated for action during the Bozdar Expedition of 1857, being promoted to captain. Browne was awarded the Victoria Cross for actions on 31 August 1858 at Seerporah, Rohikland, Uttar Pradesh, India. For having at Seerporah, in an engagement with the Rebel Forces under Khan Allie Khan, on 31 August 1858, whilst advancing upon the Enemy's position, at day break, pushed on with one orderly, Sowar, upon a nine-pounder gun that was commanding one of the approaches to the enemy's position, and attacked the gunners, thereby preventing them from re-loading, and firing upon the Infantry, who were advancing to the attack.

In doing this, a personal conflict ensued, in which Captain, now Lieutenant -Colonel, Samuel James Browne, Commandant of the 2nd Punjab Cavalry, received a severe sword-cut wound on the left knee, and shortly afterwards another sword-cut wound, which severed the left arm at the shoulder, not, however, before Lieutenant-Colonel Browne had succeeded in cutting down one of his assailants. The gun was prevented from being re-loaded, and was eventually captured by the Infantry, and the gunner slain. Sometime after this incident he began to wear this accouterment which now bears his name, as compensation for the difficulty his disability caused with wearing his officer's sword. A Sam Browne Belt is a wide belt, usually leather, supported by a narrower strap passing diagonally over the right shoulder; the diagonal strap stabilizes the scabbard of a sword if worn. Later such a belt would be adopted by other officers who knew Browne in India, but it was not to become used commonly by the British Army until after his retirement.

Browne's original "Sam Browne" belt is possessed presently by the National Army Museum in Chelsea.