December 5, 19 14 
LAND AND WATER 
CHOOSING KIT 
[Cunlintieil frotn pafie 129) 
sheath. Men will make their own choice between carrying 
a knife of this pattern and an ordinary clasp knife with more 
or less fittings. The various accessories supplied in many 
clasp knives prove of very little use on Service, with the 
exception of the corkscrew, and possibly for mounted men 
the hoof-pick. On the whole, the sheath knife is the more 
useful article, although it is a knife pure and simple opposed 
to a tool shop. 
Flasks 
It seems difficult, with men starting out campaigning, to 
persuade the men that the flask is not intended to provide 
casual drinks, but is intended to act as an emergency ration 
of the best spirit — brandy for preference — that can be 
obtained. Experience h,*.s shown that a silver flask is just 
as clean in use as glass, and a reliable metal-covered glass 
flask is not to be obtained : the make has gone out. The 
makers of Britannia metal flasks claim that their wares are 
just as non-corrosive as silver, and this statement appears to 
be pretty well substantiated by laboratory experiments ; but, 
all the same, 1 would pin my faith to a silver flask in prefer- 
ence to any Britannia metal flask ever made. Many men 
seem to object to paying five sliillings or so extra for a hinged 
or " bayonet " top, but this is the very worst form of economy, 
for the flask with bayonet top is complete as long as the user 
has need of it, while the flask with detachable top may 
become useless at any time through the top being lost — a 
much easier matter than might be supposed. As for using a 
flask in a casual way for drinks, the man who has not sense 
to restrict himself to his water-bottle, and leave the reserve 
of spirit in the flask for the emergency which may at any 
time arise, ought not to go campaigning, for the drink of 
brandy in the flask may save a life at any minute, and should 
be reserved solely for such cases. 
Towtli 
We hear of men going three weeks or more without a 
wash in the trenches, and cases of this are numerous, as the 
admissions to hospital prove ; men come in so dirty and 
ragged as to be almost unrecognisable. Hut where the 
chance of washing exists, and kit is scarce, it is easy for a 
towel to get " smelly," through being packed away dam]), 
day after day, and the owner has no chance to change it for 
a clean one. It has been ascertained that this drawback can 
be best overcome by the use of chamois-leather towels — a 
curious substitute for the ordinary article, but a remarkably 
efficient one. A good, soft chamois skin will wash out and 
last its user better than any linen towel, it is easier to keo]) 
clean, and, strange as it may seem, is quite as eflicient in use 
as linen. 
Uevolver Holsters 
If one considers the position of the ordinary revolver 
holster on a " Sam Browne " belt it will be seen that it is 
very difficult to get the revolver out and into use as (iuickl\- 
as is desirable. If the need for using a revolver should arise 
it will arise in a mighty hurry, and in getting the weapon into 
use fractions of a second count. In order to overcome the 
awkwardness of the regulation holster, many officers have 
now taken to wearing the revolver in cowboy style, with a 
holster that hangs down the thigh from a loose belt, and is 
kept in position by a small strap passed round the leg just 
over the knee. This holster should be of soft, flexible 
leather, yet not so soft that it will jfi-t flabby in use, and in 
spite of its appearance of unhandiness it will be found by far 
the best and most serviceable way of carrying a revolver (,r 
automatic pistol. Personally, 1 think any form of automatic 
pistol preferable to a revolver for Service use, as it is handier 
in every way and possesses far more " stopjMng j)ower." 
{To be continued mxt u-uk) 
SHIR.TMAKER 
HIGH HOLBORN LONDON,- 
J W. TACON 
Teltphone : Cenl'al Wt. 
Khak I 
Shirts 
made to measure on the premises in 
^ 2 HOURS 
Send to-day for paileins and prices. 
sppci'.'ii.t 277 High Holborn, LONDON. 
Cables and TtUgrams r " Skirtmaktr, London. " 
Shirt 
MORRIS 
28a SACKVILLE ST., W. 
MORRIS recognises that tlie present situa- 
tion necessitates the inclusion of clotlies 
in the general economy, and be^Js to 
inform his clientele and the publin tliut the 
reduced price for a Lounjie Suit or Overcoat is 
3h Guineas 
For similar (Garments the usual price is £5 5 
OFFICERS' KITS IN 24 HOURS IF NECESSARY 
TESTIMONIAL.— ■■ I feel tliat 1 must th«iik you and your 
excellent titter, too, for the areiH pains you took and the excellent 
results you achieved in titting me out in ^6 hours. You are 
perfectly at lilierty to use this testimonial if yon "ish. — Yours 
f.iithful y and gratefully. G. li. WEIGALL, Major R.ti.A." 
Khaki Service Tunic £3 3 
Bedford Cord Riding 
Breeches - - 2 2 
THE "CORSTAY" FIGURE BELT (Reg.) price 
isinvaluabletoeverycfiicertloingto the front. anti ^ B^ / 
asure preventiveagainstcold,danipand exposure ' *^/ 
Telephones: Xos. 784. 728 Kt i;em. Telcerains : "Greatcoat. I.ondor 
Infantry Trousers - £1 10 
British Warmer - 3 15 
BEST 
PIGSKIN HOLDALL 
For Toilet Articles. Lined Waterproof. In two sizes. 
28/- and 35/= 
Chamois Leather Towels 
Price - - 4 6 each. 
SILVER TINDER LIGHTERS "^Id' 
SAM BROWNE BELT 
Made from best BRIDLE Leather. 
Price 50/- 
. . Extra Large and Stronji . . 
HAVERSACKS 
made from an Officer's design. 
Pric 
12/6 
WIRE NIPPERS 
Insulated Handles. Complete in Leather Case. 
12/6 and 15/6. 
Send for Full List of 
. . IVar Equipment- . . 
SWAINE 6 ADENEY 
By appointment to H-M. The King 
185 PICCADILLY, W. 
CHAMPION &WILTON 
457 & 459 OXFORD ST., LONDON, W. 
MILITARY 
SADDLERY 
BRIDLES. WALLETS & SADDLE BAGS 
for immediate delivery. 
Price List on application. 
'3' 
