The Twin Histories of the Sam Browne Belt Here is the British version, in parts. To read the American version, and to see images, visit : http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-uniforms/sam_browne.htm ----- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar Nagpur, India It was Lieut. Samuel J. Browne of the 36th Bengal Native Infantry (later General Sir Sam Browne VC, GCB, KCSI) who received orders to raise a regiment of Punjab cavalry in Lahore to be designated the 2nd Punjab Irregular Cavalry. The 5th was raised at Mooltan by Captain Robert Fitzpatrick of the 12th Bombay Native Infantry. Both regiments were promptly engaged in frontier operations. Both 2nd and 5th went to the seat of action when the Great Mutiny began in 1857 and Captain Dighton Probyn was awarded the Victoria Cross. Browne, now a Captain (brevet Major ?), charged and captured a rebel gun, accompanied by only a single Sowar. He lost his left arm but earned a Victoria Cross. The decoration had only recently been instituted and there is no doubt that it was awarded rather more liberally than in later years but it is certain that there was no lack of opportunities for young officers with fire in their belly and the need to secure advancement. The mutiny operations completed, both regiments returned to the Frontier and, in 1861, they were regularised and became the 2nd and the 5th Punjab Cavalry. It was at about this time that the famous Sam Browne belt was to make its appearance, an item of dress to be adopted widely and surely one of the few accoutrements still to be in use 130 years later with little or no change. The colonel, having lost his left arm had difficulty in carrying his sword comfortably, whether mounted or dismounted, leaving his one hand free. It's design was also intended to carry a leather pistol holster whereby the weapon could be safely carried without the risk of accidental discharge - as the pistols of the day were inclined to do. [SNIP] ===============