An ode to a man called Sam Browne

 
One of our popular leather items is a belt called the Sam Browne. It is worn by uniformed professionals & gays in the fetish scene all over the world. Probably some of them have wondered to themselves or to hapless bystanders “why the name?” No?
 
Well, we’re going to tell you anyway, so tough luck.
 
Sam Browne was an officer with the British Army in the nineteenth century. Back then officers charged into battle with a sword, the scabbard of which was held in place by a little metal clip, which they called a ‘frog’ (those English never did pass up a chance to mock the French). The scabbard tended to slide away, making it necessary to steady it with the left hand before drawing.
 
During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Browne was attacked during a charge and he lost his left arm. Never one to quit, the courageous old-timer refused to be put out to pasture and determined to return to battle. Only problem was he no longer had a left hand to draw his sword with. Undaunted this true patriot set his mind (and one assumes, someone else’s hands) to work, and thus the belt was born.
 
It wasn’t long before other officers realized that even with two functional hands, the as yet unnamed belt was a huge improvement when it came to killing Indians. By the time of the Boer War, it became standard issue for British troops, and from there on out it spread to military personnel all over the world.
 
So next time you wear your Sam Browne Belt before going to a party/orgy/parade/afternoon tea, remember that you owe it to a brave one-armed soldier who refused to quit. Out of respect for him, it should be remembered that it is ALWAYS worn over the right shoulder. But the dismayed tops among you needn’t worry: in this particular case the side on which it is worn, does not convey anything about your sexual preferences.