The Soldier's Load (1871)
The Soldiers' Pocket Book for Field Service
By: Colonel Sir Garnet Wolseley, C.B., K.C.M.G.
Assistant Adjutant-General, Horse Guards
1871
Infantry in our army, is really only of two sorts, the guards and the line; for although the latter are divided nominally into fusiliers, light infantry, rifles, and heavy regiments, there is no material difference in their arms or practical equipment. The standard of height in the guards is always some two or three inches higher than for other regiments. All are armed with Snider (converted Enfield) rifles, weighing 9 lbs. 2 oz., bore .577. Bayonet weighs 13 ½ oz. The two rifle regiments and all sergeants of other regiments are armed with the short Snider rifle and sword bayonet; weight of rifle 8 lbs. 12 oz., sword bayonet lib. 11 ½ oz., scabbard 7 ½ oz. The new pattern Arm with which all our infantry is to be armed, is the Martini Henry, measuring from end of butt to muzzle 4 ft. 1 in., or with bayonet fixed 5 ft. 8 in. The rifle weighs 8 lbs. 12 oz., the bayonet 1 lb. 8 oz., and the scabbard 9 oz., the bore is .451 inch.
Infantry Soldier's Equipment in the Field
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| Arms and Accoutrements. | Weight | |
|---|---|---|
| lbs. | oz. | |
| Valise and straps | 3 | 1 |
| Pouches | 1 | 11 |
| Waistbelt & frog | 0 | 14 |
| Ammunition (70 rounds) | 7 | 5 |
| Rifle | 9 | ¾ |
| Bayonet | 0 | 13 ½ |
| Scabbard | 0 | 4 ½ |
| Knife & Lanyard | 0 | 5 |
| Water-bottle | 3 | 10 |
| Mess tin. | 1 | 5 ½ |
| Total | 28 | 7 ½ |
| Articles Worn by the Soldier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|
| lbs. | oz. | |
| Chaco | 0 | 15 |
| Tunic | 3 | 2 |
| Shirt | 1 | 1 ½ |
| Trousers | 1 | 11 |
| Braces | 0 | 3 ½ |
| Socks | 0 | 4 ½ |
| Leggings | 0 | 10 ½ |
| Boots | 3 | 3 |
| Claspknife and Lanyard | 0 | 5 |
| Total | 11 | 8 ¼ |
| Articles Carried in Valise | Weight | |
|---|---|---|
| lbs. | oz. | |
| Great-coat Shirt | 5 | 14 ½ |
| Socks | 1 | 1 ½ |
| Towel | 0 | 8 |
| Spoon | 0 | 1 ¾ |
| Comb | 0 | 0 ½ |
| Brush | 0 | 3 ½ |
| Pot of grease | 0 | 4 |
| Housewife | 0 | 3 |
| Sponge | 0 | 0 ½ |
| Boots. | 3 | 3 |
| Glengarry cap | 0 | 4 |
| Account-book | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 12 | 2 ¾ |
| Recapitulation | Weight | |
|---|---|---|
| lbs. | oz. | |
| Carried in valise | 12 | 2 ¾ |
| Arms and accoutrements | 28 | 7 ¼ |
| Total | 40 | 9 |
| Clothes worn | 11 | 3 ¼ |
| Total carried by the soldier | 51 | 12 ¼ |
When the new rifles have been issued, the weight carried will be 10 1/4 oz. more.
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