Janiuiiy 30, 19 15 
LAND AND WATER 
CHOOSING KIT 
{Continued from page 247) 
rows of holes, only one of which shows when the legging is 
fastened, down the inside edge. He also did away altogether 
with the studs, so that a single lace holds the legging fastened, 
and in such a way that only three holes need be unlaced, and 
the pressure of the leg against the legging acts just as well as 
a knot in the end of the lace. 
Quickness and Quality 
In matters of clothing and equipment the quickness with 
which articles can be adjusted and settled in their places 
counts, and this legging is a remarkably quick affair, while, 
with only one row of holes showing down the front and no 
studs sticking out, it is also remarkably neat in appearance 
— not that appearance matters much. But — and this is the 
chief point — the leather and workmanship are of the very 
highest quality. Here is something absolutely reliable, as 
good in quality as it is comfortable in wear, and as good two 
years hence as now. It embodies a new idea — which I am 
always on the look out for — and it is a good thing as well as 
being new. Hence it gets two paragraphs in the kit column. 
The Ways of Makers 
And that last point brings up the question of quality 
again. There are many houses, both in London and elsewhere, 
which at the present time make specialities of articles of kit ; 
but they do it in different ways. Some are out for profit and 
nothing else — there are many of this class ; some are out for 
legitimate profit, and have taken up the sale of articles of 
military equipment because there is little else to do at present 
— trade in other directions is slack ; some, again, have sold 
military clothing and equipment for years, and go on generally 
with contracts of varying sizes to help their business ; some, 
both old established in the business of equipment and quite 
new to such trade, mean to make a legitimate profit — as is 
only reasonable — but are genuinely interested in the subject 
as well ; and it is in the establishments of these last mentioned 
that one may find the new ideas reahsed. For these people 
do not mind losing a little money in the attempt to introduce 
something really new and ingenious. Perhaps one in twenty 
of the new ideas " comes home," and wholly or partly replaces 
some older thing ; the other nineteen die quite natural and 
painless deaths. 
Quality 
In all these new ideas one should be certain that there is 
quality as well as ingenuity. For instance, in the legging 
mentioned above the maker not only made certain that he 
had got something new and advantageous in style, but he 
also made sure that he had something really good ; that 
same is true of a set of canvas-covered " Sam Browne " belts 
that I examined a little while ago. They were among the 
first to be covered as a sample set when the idea was first 
thought of, and the waterproofed canvas was of the very 
best quality, the wo. ..nanship was as nearly perfect as one 
could find anywhere, and the leather and metal fittings were 
of the very best — not only the parts that showed, but all that 
the canvas covered from sight was as good as if it had been 
open to inspection. These are the things the man bound 
" out there " wants, for, as has been insisted in these columns 
before, the difference between first quality equipment and 
faulty stuff may mean life or death to the owner. The best, 
in 'material and workmanship, is none too good. 
A Riding Shirt 
All men who ride will appreciate how the tail of one's 
shirt creeps up in the course of a day's riding and forms a sort 
of false chest in the middle of the back after a few hours. A 
shirt has now been designed to overcome this discomfort. 
In appearance it is an ordinary khaki shirt, regulation pattern 
to the last buttonhole, but when one examines one of these 
garments it will be found that the tail is of extra length and 
has buttonholes at its end. The idea is to bring the tail up 
and button it on the front, so that it cannot possibly slip up 
beliind to any extent. In addition to the enhanced comfort 
for mounted men, such a form of shirt gives greatly increased 
warmth in the region of the abdomen, and it is a thoroughly 
well-made article throughout. 
Oiled Silk 
Oiled silk goods continue to maintain a certain popularity, 
and the poncho form of oiled silk ground sheet has a large 
number of followers it appears. The only objection to this 
form of ground sheet is its extreme delicacy ; once laid on a 
sharp stone it is done for, and its owner may consider the best 
way of getting a new one. Perhajis the fact that a new one 
can be posted with little trouble and delay accounts for the 
{Conliitued on page t^l) 
For Work or T^lay : 
(Rcgd. Trade Mark). 
BRITISH-MADE 
Shirts and Pyjamas 
Sportsmen have long recognised the claims of " Viyella " 
as the ideal Shirting, and now that England has ceased 
from play for work and war, its health and service value 
are in even greater demand. Exceedingly durable, soft 
and light yet warm, refined 
in appearance, chill-pre- 
venting and unshrinkable, 
" Viyella " has all the practical 
qualities which constitute real 
economy. Ready - to - wear 
" Viyella" Shirts and Pyjamas, 
with the manufacturers' 
guarantee of replacement 
should they shrink, and em- 
bodying finest tailor-cut and 
finish, can be obtained of any 
good class outfitter ; but if 
you prefer your Shirts made to 
measure insist on " Viyella." 
iyella 
If any difficulty is experienced 
in oljta.n^ng. please write — 
WM. HOLLINS & CO., LTD. 
( Wliotemlc onhj), 
76a Viyella Hoi:se, Newgate Street, 
London, EC. 
I Key. Trade Maik) 
MADE TO MEASURE BY 
SHIRTS AND 
PYJAMAS for 
OFFICERS 
J. W. TACON SHIRTMAKER 
CENL to-day for 
*-^ patterns and 
prices post free. 
Cables and 'telegrams : 
* Shirt maker, London.' 
277 HIGH HOLBORN, ^°^''c°'' 
/military and 
naval tailors. 
BARTELS & CO. 
MILITAET 
EQtnPHENTS. 
BIDIHS 
BKEECHE8. 
BT SPECIAL 
APrOJ^TMEIIT 
lit OOUMTlf 
OF LONDON 
XEOHANST. 
DDEE OF 
CAUBRIDOE'S 
BOSSAKS. 
INDIAN ARMY AND 
COLONIAL OUTFITTERS. 
M 
DIPLOMATIC 
UNIFOKHS. 
CODRT 
SUITS, 
BW0BD3, etc. 
26 HANOVER ST.. HANOVER SQUARE. LONDON. W.. and at Sandhurst. 
0FFTCEF8' FIFLD BEWyJCF nWTFORMB. »tc . made to order In 24 houra If required. 
Vcnlcllio. London." JistaZ-iis/itii lk 
Teleplio; 
1895 Maylrfir 
leWt;ri 
- Ifai/ L 
THOMAS & SONS' 
NEW PUTTEE 
Covers the leg in three turns. 
Made in waterproof clolh. 
Takes about quarter the time to wind and unwind 
that an ordinary puttee does. Price 8/6 pair 
Service Kit & Camp requirements 
of the very best quality at reasonable 
prices. Patterns and Price List on application. 
THOMAS & SONS 
32 
Military Tailors and 
Breeches Makers 
BROOK STREET, W. 
249 
