Found a belt. Is it genuine?

[Scogg]

Today at a gun show I found this belt. Or I should say, it found me. A seller flagged me down and asked if I knew anything about it. After explaining that I don’t really, I took a gamble and bought it for $50.

 

I cannot find it in my books, or anything that matches nicely. The photos below are with my hanger change and 95 - for scale and reference. I attempted translation of the characters and have a potential match to occupied Vietnam? I can’t figure it out, what do y’all think?

 

Japanese? Repro/genuine? What did I buy? 
Cheers,

-Sam 

 

 

[Scogg]

Dimensions:
~48 inches long (~122 cm)

~2.25 inches wide (~5.7 cm)

[EdWolf]

Hi Sam,

Looks like a modified Sam Browne military belt.

Take a look at the following site

https://www.sellingantiques.co.uk/891189/19th-century-brown-leather-sam-browne-military-belt-by-moss-bros-in-superb-condition

Hope this helps.

Regards, Ed

[Scogg]

That looks just like it, thank you! 
 

Bummer not Japanese, but at least I know what it is! 
Much appreciated, 
Cheers,

-Sam 

[Conway S]

Hi Sam,

 

To add to what Ed posted, I would agree it looks like a Sam Browne belt. Keep in mind the Japanese rolled through British colonial holdings and repurposed their equipment. I have a British-made pith helmet over-stamped with Japanese inspection marks. So it’s possible the Japanese did use your belt. 
 

Conway 

[Bruce Pennington]

Sam Brown belts used in Japan have been discussed at Warrelics.  I think there are more than one reference, but here's one at Warrelics thread.:

"Regarding the Sam Brown belts, they are regulation as per the naval landing force uniform regulations set forth in 1933. They are supposed to be worn by all NLF officers, even when the sword is not in use. They had already become a defacto standard by at least 1927, as almost every NLF officer in Shanghai had one." - Adachi

[Kiipu]

大 large or the first character in a name?

[BANGBANGSAN]

1 hour ago, Kiipu said:

大 large or the first character in a name?

@BANGBANGSAN

大越 Okoshi/Ogoshi 

[Scogg]

Thanks guys! 

I find it really fascinating that they repurposed these sam browne belts, but it makes total sense. Mine seems nicely made; they must have recognized the quality at the time. 

What I initially thought was a let-down, ended up telling a really interesting story. 
Thank you everyone!
Cheers,
-Sam