December 26, 19 14 
LAND AND WATER 
CHOOSING KIT 
Practical Hints 
(Continued from pag* 189) 
THESE articles are written from practical experi- 
ence of military matters, with a view to keeping 
our readers in touch with the variousrequirements 
of active service. Changes of climate and the peculiar 
conditions under which the present campaign is being 
waged render different items of equipment advisable at 
different times, and we are in touch with officers at the 
front and others from whom the actual requirements of 
officers and men can be ascertained. The articles are 
not intended to advertise any particular firm or firms. 
Saddles 
It is necessary, of course, that an officer should start his 
career with a regulation-pattern saddle, but in actual practice 
what is known as the " colonial " saddle will be found lighter 
and better both for horse and man when hard work has to be 
undertaken. For in fitting out a horse every ounce of weight 
counts, and the man who can save most weight in his equip- 
t ment without decreasing his or his horse's efficiency will, 
given a horse as good as that of the other man, accomplish 
the most work and keep his horse in the fittest state. A 
colonial saddle, fitted with D's and buckles, to enable all the 
regulation equipment to be carried, is the best thing for 
active service ; and in the choice of a saddle money should 
be of no account, for the very best is none too good. 
Camp Toilets 
There is a diversity of opinion as regards collapsible 
articles of the nature of baths and washing bowls ; some men 
still swear by rubber waterproofed goods, while others are 
content with the canvas articles ; and I incline, after some 
experience of both, to the latter kind. The proofed article 
cracks after a time, inevitably, and is then of no more use, 
but the canvas bath or washing bowl seems never to wear out. 
In this connection those who had experience of the South 
African campaign will probably remember, if they were with 
mounted units, how the ordinary nose-bags out of the horse 
lines used to serve as washing bowls ; and very good ones 
they made, too. Up in the Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom 
district, where water was scarce, there used at times to be 
far more washing bowls of this kind than water, and I per- 
sonally remember how in one camp more than twenty men 
tossed up for turns in washing in one nose-bag of water. 
The last man of the crowd looked no better after his wash 
than before, but he declared that he felt a difference. Such 
a scarcity of water as this, however, is not likely to happen 
on European battlefields or marching grounds, especially in 
the western area of confiict. 
Oiled Silk 
I have recently examined an oiled silk ground sheet. 
I distrust this form of equipment ; it is beautifully light and 
compact, but it will not stand the hard requirements of 
campaigning. Still, if one is prepared to get a new ground 
sheet at least once a month by all means let him go in for 
oiled silk. It will, however, need renewing at least as often 
- as that, and may get torn and unserviceable at most awkward 
times, but, admitting this as a drawback, in other ways it 
serves its purpose just as well as the legitimate waterproofed 
article. 
It may seem that too much attention has been devoted 
to the matter of waterproofing in all things, but as the winter 
comes on this matter is one that grows more and more urgent, 
and thus it needs more and more insistence. Wet weather 
and frost, and their effects, must be taken into account in the 
whole range of Service equipment. 
(Continued on page 179> 
mJ ^W TA.CON. 
SHIRTMAKER 
,277 HIGH HOLBORN LONDON^ 
iMifC^n 
GOOD QUALITY 
KHAK I 
Shirts 
AND WINOPROOF 
LEATHER UNDERJACKETS 
A SPECIALITY 
Send tO'day for patterns and prices. 
SHIRTS MADE TO MEASURE ON THE PREMISES IN 2 HOURS 
Ettsbllihsd 
80 YEARS. 
MILITARY TAILORING 
AND EQUIPMENT 
Our Service Department specially cateri for the supply of 
uniformi, equipment, and warm woollen clothing for our Soldiera 
Officer's Great Coal £3 15 
(Half or fully lined camel fleece, £5 5 0) 
British Warm Coals, lined fleece - - £2 13 and £4 4 
Officers' Khaki Shirts, with detachable collars 8/11. 1 1/6, and 14/6 each 
Cap Mufflers, make ideal sleeping caps or neck wraps, I/- to 2/6 each 
etc., etc. 
Lambskin Shell, lo be worn under tunic or great coat. 
The only preventive against cold and wet. £2 2 
WRITE FOR COMPLETE SERVICE LIST 
^-~~.^___ Tht Lintn Hi/I. _- --^ 
Regent Street. London W 
THE NEW SAM BROWNE BELT 
Covered Khaki Canvas. 
Chamois Leather Towels 
Price - - 4,6 each. 
SILVER TINDER LIGHTERS %' 
\N\RE. NIPPERS 
Insulated Handles. Complete in Leather Case. 
12/6 
. . Extra Large and Strong . . 
HAVERSACKS 
made from an Officer's design. 
Price - - 12/6 
NEILGHERRY 
MILITARY CANES 
Knob Covered Pigskin 7/6 
Covered all over Pigskin 10/6 
Send for Full List of 
. . IVar Equipment. . . 
SWAINE 6 ADENEY 
By •ppointment to H.M. The KinJ 
185 PICCADILLY, W. 
OFFICERS 
J SERVICE 
UNIFORMS 
OUR special staff of Military Cutters and 
Expert Tailors make Officers' Service 
Uniforms to order in 24 hours. 
The materials are regulation, fit is guaranteed, and 
the prices are much lovyer than those 
of the West End. 
ALL REQUISITES FOR OFFICERS' KIT IN STOCK. 
Officers art waited upon at 
their own address if desired. 
Patterns and full particulars post free on application. 
ARDING&HOBBS 
MILITARY TAILORS S OUTFITTERS LTD. 
CLAPHAM JUNCTION, S.W. 
Ofi»tt all 8.30 p.m. tv»ry Saturday. T§Uph9nt—Batt»rs»a 4. 
177 
