The uniform change of 1886 brought about the adoption of a lancer pattern pouch-belt that was laced with gold in a herringbone train pattern with a pale blue central silk stripe. Silver chains and pickers were placed on the front and silver buckle, tip and slide worn on the back, just above the pouch. All the silver pieces are hallmarked in this example, for Jennens & Co, Birmingham 1902/03. The belt itself is on dark blue Morocco leather but tailor’s book instructions mention that the leather should be on pale blue Morocco. This style of belt was worn initially with an embroidered pale blue pouch but in 1890 the regiment were permitted to change their title from Bengal Cavalry to Bengal Lancers, and from then on wore a silver fronted pouch. It was worn by both British and Indian officers.
