April 3, 1915 
LAND AND WATER 
CHOOSING KIT 
Practical Hints 
THESE articles are written from practical experi- 
ence of military matters, with a view to keeping 
our readers in touch with the various requirements 
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. 
We shall be pleased to supply information to our 
readers as to where any of the articles mentioned are 
obtainable, and we invite correspondence from officers 
on active service who care to call our attention to any 
points which would be advantageous in the matter of 
comforts or equipment, etc., to those who are about to 
leave for the front. 
Letters of inquiry with reference to this subject 
should be marked " Choosing Kit." 
Aluminium Perfected 
Hitherto, the drawback of the aluminium water bottle has 
laid in its joints. It is impossible to solder aluminium in the 
way that is pursued with tin, and consequently the Service 
pattern of water bottle in aluminium has been a faOure, for 
a certain percentage of these jointed bottles loked at the 
joint even when new, and the rest could not be depended 
on not to leak at some inconvenient occasion, while the 
material used in closing the joints of the metal lent itself to 
corrosion if anything but pure water were placed in the 
bottle. There has now been evolved, however, an alu- 
minium water bottle, of the ordinary Service shape and size, 
"spun up" out of one piece of aluminium, without a single 
seam. It has no sharp internal angles ; it has the freedom 
from corrosion peculiar to pure aluminium ; it is the lightest 
serviceable water bottle yet made ; and it will stand the hard 
wear of active service as long as a man is likely to require it. 
Strongly covered and fitted into a "ciadle" for attachment 
to equipment, it is a practical article built on cornmon sense 
lines, and thoroughly to be recommended for hard Service use. 
A Waterproof Cape 
In the matter of keeping out the rain one sometimes 
needs additional protection to that provided by the regulation 
or other coat one has taken, and for this purpose a water- 
proof cape, designed by an officer, on practical lines seems 
about the best thing. The cape in question is not supposed 
to take all the work of waterproofing, as a coat does ; it is 
designed so as to cover one almost to the knees, giving plenty 
of freedom to the arms and plenty of room inside, and is 
provided with its own fastening strap so that it can be 
attached to the equipment when rolled up. It rolls into a 
very small compass indeed, and its weight is a matter of 
ounces only. This particular cape has found many patrons 
among men actually serving in the trenches, and its extreme 
portability is a great point in its favour. 
A Cap Cover 
Passing reference was made a few weeks ago to a water- 
proof cap cover which protects the back of the neck by means 
of a flap extending down over the collar of the coat, and, with 
spring weather coming shortly and the need for heavy balac- 
lavas disappearing, this cap cover is worthy of notice. It 
fits over the field-service cap and transforms this into a head 
covering something like the old-time head-dress of the Indian 
Army, by means of which the back of the neck is thoroughly 
protected. With even a closely fitting overcoat collar the 
water drips down the back of one's neck and causes exasper- 
ation, but this curtain, falling over the collar, saves all that, 
and completes the equipment for keeping out the wet at all 
points. 
By Way of Correction 
In referring to a folding open periscope a week or two 
.igo, reference was made to the clips which support the 
mirrors of this particular pattern in such a way as to imply 
that these clips were not of sufficient strength. After re- 
examination of the dips — especially those of the larger pattern 
instrument — I am convinced that only very rough usage indeed 
would impair the efl&ciency of this periscope. I make this 
(Cont*mid*d on pag* g) 
Re§Snt Street. London W. 
Easter Sale 
OF 
M 
en s 
Wea 
Oilskins, in various shades, 
non-sticky. Colours, brown 
and green. Unlined, from 22/- 
Lined fieece - . SO/. 
FROM now until Easter we 
are offering some very special 
bargains in shirts, pyjamas, 
men's wear — especially in Khaki 
clothing of all kinds — in our well- 
known and reliable makes. 
Of Special Interest 
to Officers 
Silk and Merino Underwear, ideal for 
summer wear, in cream, grey, pink, blue and 
hello, unshrinkable. 
Vest, 6/6 Pants, 7/6 Drawers, 6/11 
Khaki Wool Socks, good, heavy ribbed 
make, durable and well fitted for marching 
Per pair 1/6 
Weatherproof Overcoat, full shape, Raglan 
shoulders, light weight. 
Price 42/- to 63/- 
Mackintoshes, fawn colour - from 25/6 
Ditto, Regulation . . - . 63/- 
British Warm Coat, lined fleece 55/- 
Our own material, special quality - 75/- 
detachablTcdIar tolach'^'good 1^ fat U^iHt & CLl pffi^B 
quality, durable and unshrink- ^~~--»,— _"*« ''"•" «••" 
able . . - each 6/6 RegSnt Street. Lono 
PRACTICAL KIT 
OFFICER'S WATERPROOF, lined fieece, £ s. d. 
guaranteed waterproof. An ideal Service coat - Price S 6 O 
With lining, detachable ,,6150 
Without lining ,,330 
" I have given one of these coats a personal trial under bad winter 
conditions of weather, and have found it all that could be desired in 
wet and in cold. The proofing is ol the very best quality, really proof 
against a soaking rain for any length of time. A further point in its 
favour is that it is thoroughly well ventilated, and altogether it 
seems about the best all purposss coat that one can obtain." — Author 
of " Choosing Kit " Article, Land and Water, Feh. 13, 1915. 
MAP CASESi khaki canvas, double fold 
DOi do. three fold 
DOi do. do. with 
pocket 1 
DOi be; t pigskin, three fold - - 1 
DOi do. do. with pocket 1 
POCKET FLASK, oxydised, plated inside, 
non-corrosive. Strong and light 
HAVERSACKS, extra large and strong. Made 
from an officer's design ..... 
PRISMATIC COMPASS, in leather case 
£3 10 O & 4 
PRISM BINOCULARS (+ 5 and -|- 8) ■ - 8 
LOADED STICKS, weighted pigskin knobs 
Do. covered all over pigskin 
OFFICER'S NEWMARKET WHIP, with 
thong, covered pigskin, loaded butt - - - 1 
"ACTIVE SERVICE" MESS BOX, fitted 
for six persons - - - - - - - 6 
LUMINOUS WATCHES, in wrist strap, silver 2 
Do. do. metal 1 
a. d. 
16 6 
17 6 
5 O 
1 O 
5 O 
14 6 
12 6 
ID O 
17 e 
12 6 
15 O 
1 O 
IB 
2 
5 
6 
O 
O 
Send for full List of War Equipment. 
SWAINE c& ADENEY 
By appointmeot to H.M. The Kintf 
185 PICCADILLY. W. 
