USMC dress blues jacket

The uniform jacket is an elaborate uniform worn for formal or ceremonial occasions. Its basic shape and form is a copy of older European versions and dates back to the 18th century British and French army uniforms. The PCCTS, Knights Templar has adopted the stripped version of the USMC dress blues jacket due to the classic design and availability. When you order the jacket, you strip it of accoutrements (buttons and insignias) and apply our own.

The US size may be followed by a letter designation S = Short, R = Regular, L = Long.

A USMC dress blues jacket can easily be bought on eBay or in one of many stores:

https://www.usmcblues.com/blues.html

Cost varies from 45 USD for a used jacket to 250 USD for a new set. You do not need the hat, the belt and the pants so you obviously do not have to order a full set.

USMC version Sam Browne belt (black)

The Sam Browne belt is a wide belt, usually leather, which is supported by a strap going diagonally over the right shoulder. It is most often seen as part of a military or police uniform.

Origins

Sam Browne was a British army officer serving in India in the 19th century. In those days officers always carried a sword into battle. It hung from a little strap on the waistbelt, called a 'frog'. However, the scabbard tended to slide around a lot when they charged the enemy, meaning that it had to be steadied with the left hand. During the mutiny of 1857 in India, Captain Sam Browne received two sword cuts, one on the left knee and one which severed his left arm at the shoulder. He survived the injuries but without a left hand, he found that he was now unable to control his sword. He came up with the idea of wearing a second belt which went over his right shoulder and held the scabbard in just the spot he wanted. Other officers began wearing the extra belt themselves, and soon it became part of the standard uniform.

Usage

Due to its former use as equipment for carrying a sword, it is traditionally only worn by those to whom a sword would historically have been issued, i.e., officers. Throughout most of its modern history, however, its main function has been to carry a pistol, and it was found to be particularly useful with the heavy pistols typically used during the first part of the 20th century.

The Sam Browne belt is today used by many national armies, the British and US army being the most notable. In addition it is used by many police forces around the world.

Safety

Sam Browne belts have been criticised as unsafe during a close physical altercation. An assailant can easily grab hold of the belt and throw the wearer off balance, throw the wearer to the ground, or even choke the wearer by ripping one end of the belt from its mooring and quickly wrapping it around the neck. Some criminals became so adept at using a police officer's Sam Browne belt against him that police departments began ordering it discontinued as part of patrol gear. It remained, however, as a ceremonial/decorative piece of gear.

The USMC version Sam Browne belt can be ordered here (or in several other stores):

https://www.uniforms-4u.com/p-usmc-sam-brown-belt-6219.aspx

EBay usually offers cheaper versions. Price varies from 80-150 USD.