West African ammunition belt, or ntoa, 1873 (c)

This hide belt is decorated with brown stained shells, and was reputedly owned by Prince Bonny, a leader of a West African coastal kingdom that was allied to the British during the 2nd Ashanti War (1873-74).

Serving a similar purpose as British Army webbing equipment, the belt consists of pouches for bullets and ammunition charges as well as a powder horn and sheathed knives. The belt was presented to Colonel Sir Evelyn Wood who took part in the Ashanti campaign in modern-day Ghana in 1873.