Pair of epaulettes belonging to Staff Commander Walter W. Browne. The epaulettes are covered with gold lace, the crescent is edged with gold thread and plate wrapped silk around a wooden core. There is an inner border of twisted gold purl. The strap is edged with gold purl. On the crescent are the insignia indicating the rank of Staff Commander, these are two crossed silver anchors (of silver plate and purl) below a crown of red velvet and metal thread work. On the underside, the crescents are covered with padded and quilted blue silk and have a rigid bonnet covered with blue silk, padded and quilted on one side and on the other with gold lace. The bullions are over the bonnet. The straps are covered with black leather and feature a large hook, eye and clip system of brass for attaching the epaulette to the shoulder of the uniform. The clip has the makers name stamped in: 'FRASER & DAVIS/ 78 & 79 High Street Portsmouth'.

In 1864 two new ranks were introduced, that a Staff Captain which replaced the rank of Master of the Fleet, and that of Staff Commander which replaced that of a Master of 15 years seniority. However, the rank of master was still retained.