The leather was coloured according to regiment. It was left buff and then coloured black for rifle regiments, and whitened on the outer surfaces for infantry regiments. A pouch with a reserve magazine (for the Lee-Metford/Lee-Enfield rifle), like a spade, was worn only with the appropriate order. Outside of the marching order, one ammunuition pouch was worn (on the back, or on the right side). The special magazine pouch nominally was a possible element of equipment until the introduction of SMLE No. 1 Mk. I and 1903 Bandolier Equipment, but were not mass issued in practice, with some particular exceptions for some squads and positions.
