Do items that raise your effective level require an actual level?

[deuxhero]

Someone with a Sash of the War Champion "treats his fighter level as 4 higher than normal for the purpose of the armor training and bravery class features."

1: Does someone without Fighter levels gain these features as a level 4 fighter would?
2: Does someone with 1 level in Fighter gain these feature?

[Xaratherus]

No. The item does not grant those features to you; it amplifies their effectiveness if you have them.

A character with 0 levels in Fighter would gain no benefit from the sash; a character with 1 level in Fighter would gain no benefit until he actually gained the armor training and bravery class features.