Uniform FAQ - Page 2

Lustmolch · #26 (**permalink**) December 9th, 2003, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by panzergrenadiere:
My uniform is from ATF and I love it along with my great coat I got from there too. I friend of mine in the hobby used to work there and I think I drove him nuts calling him to bring stuff for me to events. My best friend went to there actual store and came back with descriptions of rooms filled to the ceiling with jackboots( I think he believed he was in heaven). As for converted tunics I really don't like the swedes, correct me if I'm wrong but don't they have a seam in the center of back? It might have been the swedish greatcoats I can't remember for sure, too many uniforms to remember. I have yet to see a post war converted tunic that I am satisfied with. As for shades/colors my tunic and hosen match, but my greatcoat and feldmutze are different shades. Its good to see the differences.

You are correct about the rear seam in the Swedish tunics. What makes it so noticeable is that it has been folded and stitched like the seam you see on the back of a British Battledress. When I did my conversions I found that I could make it less noticeable by cutting the stitching where it was folded, and pressing the edges flat from inside (they should look like an open book). This reduces the seam a lot though you will still have the line there, of course. With the Y straps, and equipment in place, this is largely hidden anyway. If all else fails, a Zeltbahn covers up a multitude of sins, is 100% authentic, good at breaking up your outline and looks good for photos.

Stefan · #27 (**permalink**) December 9th, 2003, 06:08 PM

That is a fantastic idea, I will have to have a go with mine at some point soon. I agree on the Zeltbahn thing, they look great and are dead comfy but all too often ignored by re-enactors.

BratwurstDimSum · #28 (**permalink**) December 9th, 2003, 07:30 PM

The DADDY of reenactors sites, easily with the best weapons,kit and Wehrmact uniform photos:

http://site27663.dellhost.com/Wehrma.../hobnails.html

eg.

and

Main reenactor site is here:
http://site27663.dellhost.com/Wehrma.../thefront.html

they also have pics of artillery, vehicles, its all there!

Stefan · #29 (**permalink**) December 9th, 2003, 07:55 PM

Nice site, loads of good photos and so on.

Lustmolch · #30 (**permalink**) December 10th, 2003, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stefan:
Thanks Arminius, are you a re-enactor of some sort? I find that whilst there are lots of good books out there about uniforms, nothing beats original photos and actually looking at the real thing.

BDS, I dont think it was live but blank rounds still spray out hot gas and bits of brass (ooh, that rhymes). Actually I have found myself cutting a chunk of brass out of my shoulder after some jerk fired at me at close range, nice demonstration of why we should stick to safety distances

On two seperate occasions I have nearly 1) blown my own eye out and 2) nearly blinded someone else through forgetting the safety margin. In the first instance I had a staring pistol (.22 longs) in my hand and went to scratch my nose - bloody stupid in retrospect. In the second instance someone ran across my line of vision and i automatically pointed my rifle at him. Under normal circumstances I would have aimed in the air. Not that I am trying to justify my actions - they were just plain stupid. There is an awful lot of crap blown out of a rifle barrel, it travels quite a distance and is dangerous - don't make the same mistakes as I did.

Stefan · #31 (**permalink**) December 10th, 2003, 08:56 PM

This is a sticky, its nice to get a debate going on this board for once

.

BratwurstDimSum · #32 (**permalink**) December 15th, 2003, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stefan:
Is that uniform a repro or an original? If it was repro based around an NVA tunic (which it looks a little like) wouldn't be barred simply because of colour, it looks ok to me, the problem I would have with it is the extra seam either side of the buttons (never seen one of those on a proper uniform) and the top of the sleves which just look wrong. I don't like it, thats my opinion though.

Stefan, You know me to never leave a bone alone, I'm referring to your comment above about the extra seams not being present on a real uniform. Today I became the proud owner of about 100 photos from a private estate, check out the mug shot of the former owner, I think I found one of those dreaded seams. The other methinks is hidden under the material. What do you think?

Huge pic is here:
http://members.tripod.co.uk/crookint...eersoldier.jpg

Also, Look at the first of the two pictures of "reenactors" uniforms above (the one with the Mp40), the two seems are there too!

[ 15. December 2003, 03:51 PM: Message edited by: BratwurstDimSum ]

Stefan · #33 (**permalink**) December 15th, 2003, 10:39 PM

I never claimed to be an expert, i just said I didn't like it

. All the same, the seems are different, look at the way they curve out at the neck, the distances and so on. I still don't like it.

Grunt · #34 (**permalink**) January 7th, 2004, 03:33 AM

An interesting Subject,
I myself am in possetion of what I thought was a reproduction of a dress uniform until we took some of the insignia off to discover original makers labels on the back of the insignia.
As such these have now been put in place and the uniform insured!
As for the colour it is certainly bluer than those field ones shown here.

BratwurstDimSum · #35 (**permalink**) January 7th, 2004, 08:22 AM

got a picture mate? If you can't host it send it to me and I'll host it for ya. PM me.

panzergrenadiere · #36 (**permalink**) January 7th, 2004, 07:46 PM

As to my shooting a hole in my tunic pocket I used a blank and I was wearing the tunic. It was an accident and I don't advise anyone to try it at home. I got lucky and could have seriously injuried myself. On a lighter note, it looks pretty cool like a piece of shrapnel tore through it.

BratwurstDimSum · #37 (**permalink**) January 25th, 2004, 04:16 PM

Having made such a big issue of farbe uniform colours recently, I've kinda contradicted myself by actually buying a pair of Swiss(?) wartime trousers at the Stoneleigh Militaria show. The great thing though, instead of being $80-90 like one vendor tried to offer them to me for, I got them at a 40s stand specialising in "Glen miller"-style clothes for £15! ($30) [img]smile.gif[/img] . Stefan I've taken a pic of the button on the top pocket flap of the trousers, can you confirm that it is/isn't Swiss?

[ 25. January 2004, 10:19 AM: Message edited by: BratwurstDimSum ]

Stefan · #38 (**permalink**) January 26th, 2004, 12:38 PM

It is Swedish, I used to use a pair until I got some repro trousers, they aren't bad. You need to take the leg pockets off (if they haven't gone already) and the crown buttons, also the braces buttons should be on the inside. There is more that needs changeing but that is the basic stuff.

Nice snag, they usually go for between £8 and £20 so £15 is about right.

Lustmolch · #39 (**permalink**) January 28th, 2004, 06:01 PM

Bratwurst

re your Swedish trousers - there are a couple of varieties available. If they have two buttoned tabs tucked in the back of the waistband then they are very close to the 1944 type. The only major modification needed is to take off the large cargo pockets on each leg as seen on this example (scroll down to view)

http://www.sofmilitary.co.uk/reenactors/index.htm

Incidentally, SoF appear to be offering some of their tunics at reduced prices - take a look.

BratwurstDimSum · #40 (**permalink**) January 28th, 2004, 06:46 PM

No tabs here but there is a date of 1958 and 100 FVL on the waist liner.

Lustmolch · #41 (**permalink**) February 6th, 2004, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BratwurstDimSum:
Hey Stefan,

I've always admired the guys from "At the front" for their directness check this out:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />
Common Issues
"Well, I'm doing a 1942 impression so I need an M42 tunic. They never would have gotten an M40 then...".
Sure, on January 1st, 1942, the supply starved and recycle-everything-50 years-before-it-was-cool German Army threw out all stocks of pre-M42 jackets. Look at the photos and watch the newsreels. There is footage of Volksturm units being issued M36 tunics in 1945. Probably recycled/repaired ones, but M36's nonetheless. Granted, an M44 tunic during the invasion of Poland won't fly, but late in the war (99.9% of reenactments), all models are in use.

"If my pants don't match my coat, I'm gonna call my Mommy....!"
We have alot of questions about wool color. Here's the one and only deal:
We copied original field gray garments. "Field gray" comes in dozens of shades, depending on dye lot, material content (wool versus substitute fibers) and so on. The base color is essential a mix of grey, green and blue fibers, that blend together to yield the color.

The Germans were extremely supply conscious and recycled everything. An M36 tunic made from late war material is not a typical thing, but an M43 made from earlier stocks is entirely feasible. Originals come in numerous shades of green, gray, olive, and even brown. There is no single, correct "field grey" color! There are only acceptable parameters, and we are familiar with those.

"So why can't I have a 100% color match with my pants, cap and tunic?"
Life would be easier if we had just ONE color. Please understand this. It is a supply nightmare, but we are striving for authenticity, not mass marketing of cabbage patch doll wear. Just like the authentic garments, we use several shades at different times for different items. Moreover, the tint of one roll of the same wool, will sometimes be different from that of the next. We will not alter our policy to fit modern mis-conceptions of historical fact! We will not change history to satisfy the customer. If all originals matched, then we would do it. Our measuring sticks are originals, not the fantasises of Professorus-Emeritus- Knowitallicus-Reenactoricallus.

"I MUST have a matching set for my impression and to be satisfied."
You're a farb. Call another company for farb-wear. We don't copy repros and our standards are not dictated by modern fantasies and factual ignorance. We're striving to duplicate WWII-era uniforms and please our own sense of creativity, not to please customers unfamiliar with or unwilling to accept historical fact! If our unwillingness to make incorrect garments offends your sensibilities or makes you pissy, tough.

I think this attitude actually make them MORE popular with reenactors </font>[/quote]I have bookmarked their site and usually have a broad grin every time I have a read - have you seen the bit about the Dragon Action Figures - "Guys that compare our stuff to items in their "action figure" collection will be drawn and quartered. If you had played "dress up" with your sister's Ken doll when you were a kid you would have had your ass kicked by your buddies. Work it out for yourself. Playing with dolls after 3rd grade is creepy. Try telling your co-workers about how excited you are that Franz and Lothar are coming out soon and see how they share your anticipation......)"

Makes me feel a bit better about still making plastic kits at 32......