Thanks!
We'll take all the help we can get and I'm glad to see that people are still interested in these research oriented matters.
Q #1
The straps sewn to the black harness straps (which I am calling the pack straps since they connect to the pack) are actually a grey colored webbing.
I am confident that is their natural color without any weathering.
Q #2
Yep, you are right. The buckle is reversible so you can feed the webbing through either side. I'm sure the LFL costuming people didn't pay very close attention to the orientation of the buckle.
I don't think it was even really ever supposed to be seen as part of the costume. Just solely a functional piece that would occasionally slip out from underneath the vest.
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