Mystery Belt

[Postwarden]

The attached gold braid belt has nice GVR RE badges.

As far as I know such belts are usually attributed to ladies of the regiment or to mess servants. This example has a 22 inch waist suggesting either a lady or possibly a boy servant, in both cases probably worn in India.

Can anyone add anything further?

Jon

[GriffMJ]

The wife of a RE Officer would have worn this...probably on Mess functions. Not many "fat lasses" in those days...... a tiny waist was the in thing.

[Eddie Parks]

Usually known as a Levee Belt - worn by wives on very formal occasions like a Vice-Regal Ball, Reception etc.
Eddie

[54Bty]

I have heard the same stories, but, have never seen photographs of any of these belts being worn. At one time they were referred to as a Nurse's belt!

Marc

[Postwarden]

Marc,

Interesting comment. I would also like to see evidence of its use.

I have asked a friend of mine who is a costume historian if she can find any photographic evidence of them worn.

Jon

[54Bty]

Originally Posted by Postwarden

Marc,

Interesting comment. I would also like to see evidence of its use.

I have asked a friend of mine who is a costume historian if she can find any photographic evidence of them worn.

Jon

Nice one Jon, Royal Regiment of Artillery preferred.

Marc

[Eddie Parks]

When i collected RIC/RUC badges - a whole lifetime ago - I had one of these with RIC/RUC collar badges. I got it from a old retired RUC County Inspector who told me his wife had worn it at receptions in Hillsborough Castle help by the Governor of NI.
Eddie

[Sonofacqms]

I think I have a Royal Artillery one somewhere and half a Cambridgeshire buckle, I will have to go and investigate.

Rob

[Mike_2817]

Has always been described as a senior officers wives mess belt to me, sometimes on a lighter blue silk belt

Here's an Army Ordnance Department (AOD) or early RAOC version:



wish I had one for my collection, they are not that common. I think they are silver helmet plate centres in this example,

Otherwise the gold buckle looks the same as example as in post one.

[Mercian]

Here's one to the Cheshire RV with white metal collar badges. The collar badges are unusual as the stems on the acorns are straight, where as normally they are curved.

[54Bty]

Just some observations. All the belts I have seen are made from English Regiments Pattern gold lace as shown in 'Dress Regulations 1900, plate 79 No 69', and all the badges have been white metal (possibly silver). The gold colour of buckles sets off the white colour of the badges, so I do not think that they are specific to Volunteers. The buckles would look rather dull in gold with gold badges as they would not stand out.

Has anyone got a belt with a Patent number on the back?

Marc

[Guzzman]

Hello all

I was very interested to come across this topic as I have literally just purchased what is described as a 'Ladies Royal Marines Brass Waist Belt Clasp, KC' on e-bay!

When I first saw it I had no idea what it actually was (I still don't really!) and I decided to buy it just because it intrigued me. So I was pleased to find this topic being discussed!

The seller stated it was a pressed brass, 3-piece clasp with a central disc with an embossed Royal Marines badge and KC. The whole is approx 10 x 3.5 cm. It's small size suggests that it was worn by a lady.

It hasn't arrived yet so I haven't been able to examine it myself. The pictures below were originally posted by the seller.

As you can see it is very different from the belts and clasps described above . Is it a similar item at all or is it something completely different? It is certainly of a very different quality to the clasps shown above.

Any ideas, suggestions or information would be most appreciated. I will be away for a few days, so if I don't respond immediately please don't worry. I will get back to you. Thanks.

Pete

[Eddie Parks]

I was at the Bangor (NI) Militaria Show this morning and saw these that the stall holder very kindly allowed me to photograph. You'll see there are three different kinds of lace. He was asking £80 apiece.
Eddie

[Guzzman]

Having just returned from Portsmouth I have had the chance to examine the 'Royal Marines' belt clasp I described above.

The clasp is made of copper alloy and is marked "MARTIN"/PAT. No. 660336/ MADE IN ENGLAND.

A bit of research has revealed that it was made by Martins Birmingham Ltd. This company was founded in the 1880s and originally made saddles and leather harness trappings.

By the late-1940s/early-1950s the company was still based at its original premises but was manufacturing crocodile skin handbags and belts based upon a design patented by the founders son, Patrick Alphonsus Martin. This patent relates to the patent number above.

A number of designs were issued - each with a different central roundel. These depicted a whole range of sporting and nautical emblems. This particular belt clasp, with the badge of the Royal Marines, was manufactured as a form of 'sweetheart' which a Royal Marine would have presented to his beloved (or even his wife!) to wear around their slim-waisted late-1940s/early 1950s dresses.

Although not an 'official' item I still find it an interesting piece of Royal Marines social history.

Pete

[Guzzman]

I have just come across a picture of the patent belt produced by Martin's with an example of the basic clasp with a different central roundel. As I said, not an official item but another mystery solved!

Pete