January 30, 1915 
LAND AND \\' A T E R 
CHOOSING KIT 
Practical Hints 
IConlinued frcr% pa^t 2"o> 
THESE articles are written from practical experi- 
ence of military matters, with a view to keeping 
our readers in touch witli 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. 
A Trench Cap 
The ordinary field-service cap is not a thing to sleep in, 
nor has it the quality of warmth or even of protection from 
rain, while its stiffness renders it an unhandy thing for any 
work but parade and drill movements. For trench work and 
as a sleeping cap there has been designed a field-service cap 
which, when worn in the normal way, is exactly like the 
regulation pattern article. When taken off, however, it is 
absolutely soft, and can be crumpled up in a heap and stuffed 
in one's pocket ; it will come out smooth and smart again for 
wear. In addition to this there is inside the cap a lining 
which can be pulled down at the back, so that it covers the 
ears and the back of the head just as does the ordinary 
" Balaclava " cap. For trench purposes this is an excellent 
article, and the wonder is that somebod\' has not thought of 
designing something of the kind before. It may be remarked 
in passing that the top of the cap is waterproof, and thus 
there is no necessity for wearing tiie oiled silk or other cover 
affected by tho.se who wish to keep their heads dry as well 
as covered. 
An In^eniou! Haversack 
A distinct inno\ation in the w'ay of haversacks is one 
which, constructed of strong waterproof material and fulfilling 
all the purposes of the ordinary article, will also act as an air 
cushion. It may be two or three ounces heavier than the 
ordinary pattern article, but the difference in weight is 
negligible, and one who has had the convenience of an air 
cushion will ap]>reciate this distinctly ingenious addition to 
the uses of the ordinary haversack. One fault there is, and 
that is the presence of a button with only one buttonhole. 
This, howe\er, is a defect that can be easily remedied, and 
the idea embodied in this design is one well worthy of mention. 
Legjmfis and Puttees 
Many men have a grudge against puttees, and this for 
many reasons. There is the lengthy business of putting 
them on and taking them off, for one thing ; there is the fact 
that they are not waterproof and that in wet weather the 
moisture collects down the back of one's coat, whether that 
be a waterproof or otherwise, and gradually soaks through 
the backs of the puttees ; there is also the fact that puttees 
do not wear nearly so well as leggings made of good leather ; 
and, lastly and of little account on Service, they never look 
/ quite as smart and businesslike as leggings. The troubles 
that arise through winding them on too tightly or too loosely 
are avoidable and need not be enlarged on. As for time in 
putting on a pair of puttees or taking them off and their 
waterproof qualities, these may both be obviated to a very 
large extent by wearing the specially wide puttees mentioned 
in these columns a week or two ago, which puttees take three 
turns round the leg instead of nine, and keep the wet out. 
A Good Le|!)!!nii 
But there are some men who will not and some who 
cannot wear puttees, and who in consequence wear leggings 
instead. Now, practically all these men know that a legging 
^that is, the ordinary pattern of lace and stud legging — 
drags down on one side. Various devices, such as a strap 
ancl buckle at the top, a new way of setting the studs, and a 
spring clip at the top — to mention a few methods — have been 
adopted to keep the edges of the legging square to each other 
at top and bottom, but none of them seem to be of any 
l)crmanent avail. The strap and buckle, if pulled tiglit 
enough, cramps the leg ; the spring clip gets worn and does 
not fulfil its pur|)ose ; and new ways of setting the studs 
also involve wear and conse(|uent dissatisfaction on the part 
of the wearer. P.ut. at last, a man who was not content to 
copy, but followed his own ideas, came along and put two 
(Continued un page 249) 
A Folding Cap 
which is a Service Cap and 
Sleeping Helmet combined. 
Made of regulation khaki 
material, this cap differs from 
the ordinary Service Cap in 
that all wires for stiffening 
are dispensed with and a wool 
lining is inserted which can be 
pulled down well over the ears. 
ENTIRELY WATERPROOF. 
Price 10/6 each. 
^^~-____rA« l,/,,n Hall 
Refjont Street. Loniiun I" 
SERVICE KITS 
— IN 48 HOURS. — 
Every detail guaranteed correct, in 
accordance with War OfSce regulationi. 
Palterm and Estimate post free. 
A large number of half-finished Service 
Jackets always on hand, which can be 
completed in eight hours. 
INFANTRY SWORD £4 14 6 
WEST & SON, Ltd 
MilUary and Sporting Tailors, 
151 NEW BOND STREET, W. 
(Opposite Conduit Street-) 
'Phone — Gerrard 8161. 
PRACTICAL KIT 
SOME OF 
SWAINE & ADENEY'S SPECIALITIES 
SAM BROWNE BELT, covered khaki canvas 3 
OFFICER'S WATERPROOF, lined fleece, 
guaranteed waterproof. An ideal Service coat 5 
HAVERSACKS, extra large and strong. Made 
from an officer's design ----- 
WIRE NIPPERS, insulated handles, in leather case 
DOi insulated handles, Ironside pattern 
LOADED STICKS, weighted pigskin knobs 
Do* covered all over pigskin 
OFFICER'S HACKING WHIP, with thong, 
covered pigskin - - - - - 1 
OFFICER'S HACKING WHIP, plaited kan- 
garoo hide 1 
"ACTIVE SERVICE" MESS BOX, fitted 
for six persons ------ from 5 
SWORDS, Regulation proofed and etched blade, 
complete in scabbard - - - Infantry 5 
Cavalry or Artillery 6 
PRISM BINOCULARS, in leather case - 5 
LUMINOUS WATCHES, in wrist strap, metal 1 
,, ,, .> ,. silver 2 
s. d. 
3 O 
5 O 
12 6 
12 6 
15 6 
10 6 
15 O 
1 O 
5 O 
5 O 
5 O 
6 O 
5 O 
5 O 
2 O 
Send for full List of War Equipment. 
SWAINE <S ADENEY 
By appointment to H.M. The Kin^ 
185 PICCADILLY, W. 
247 
