Helmet looks good, an original M42! Needs a repaint after removal of the device/badge mount on the front. It might have original paint underneath the dark green stuff on it. Just get a rattlecan/spraypaint can from 1944 Militaria (Feldgrau dunkel) and spray the exterior. Throw some masking tape on the inside of the vent holes if you don't want to get paint on your liner. If you don't care, don't put tape on. Just remove the chinstrap before painting.
Here's my suggestions:
1. Immediately ditch that swede canteen. Keep it for a neat water bottle, but don't bring that bad larry into the field. I know you're a young reenactor on a budget- so I'd suggest saving up and getting a nice rebuilt one. That, or get a repro.
Here's a link to repro canteens:
[a href="http://www.zib-militaria.de/epages/61431412.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61431412/Products/536[104]"]http://www.zib-militaria.de/epages/61431412.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61431412/Products/536[104][/a]
Even with Euro conversion and shipping, you get a sweet repro aluminum canteen. I'd suggest you get straps from Kriegsende:
www.kriegsendemilitaria.com/Field%20Equipment/normal%20canteen%20strap.html These are the best straps on the market.
2. Ditch that breast eagle. From the photos it looks like either an EM grade private purchase emroidered eagle or something like that. For the '43 series Feldbluse the
most common breast eagle would be the subdued mouse grey eagle (Bevo). I suggest you get one of these and machine-sew it on. Though all sorts of weird combos of insignia can be found on Feldblusen, (I've seen mounted prewar Litzen with pointed M36 style shoulderboards on M43's before) it is best to stick with generic.
This is the Breast Eagle you need:
www.atthefront.com/german/insignia/heer%28army%29insignia/images/breasteagles/g_insig_heer_FGeagle_bevo.jpg(Image Source: At the Front)
3. Move the breadbag to your right. It belongs on the back right hip. I would suggest getting a repro breadbag from ATF and change out the buttons for the zinc coated "zelt" buttons 1944 militaria sells. I don't care for the grey painted ones that come on the ATF bag. That, or attempt to dye the bag. Grey breadbags aren't the most common, though I've seen them. Heck I've seen breadbags made out of 3 different colors of fabric, even HBT fabric. That's just my opinion in regards to color. The DEZ article isn't really a good basis for breadbag research, as after you've handled/seen many more samples, the concept that only "pointed" loops becomes a fallacy. A friend of mine has several with "square" ends, and some that are pointed, but only on one side.
4. Get a pair of Y-Straps. I don't suggest ATF for your build/size. Their Y-straps are now cut 6" longer than originals, and will look ridiculous on you. I'm not a fan of Czech converts, though they are very good Y-straps. 1944 Militaria stocks them, as do several Euro. dealers. If you want to splurge, get a pair from Frank Barone, but be sure to not ask for Czech converts. Hessen's Y-Straps don't look too bad, just from the pics I can't tell if they have the copper rivets that hold the auxiliary straps on. If not, they look fine by me.
5. Get a messtin, and better yet, get two. Purchase a postwar West German Polizei one (They come blue. Hessen sells them repainted in Feldgrau) AND a postwar East German one. Take the West German lid, and the East German bottom, and it's closer than either one by itself (Repaint both). For the strap, get one from Vit Zemanek (eBay Store CONTINENTAL MILITARIA dot COM... yes it's all caps).
6. Get a zeltbahn! 1944 Militaria sells the best, hands down (made by SM Wholesale IIRC.) But, the Sturm ones are fine by me, and I believe Landser Outfitters has some of the best pricing on Zelts out there.
7. Get a blanket. Being cold at night blows. I have many blankets, and though I really like my Ostfront one (heer issue w/stripes), I also use an Italian blanket. Get one without a star. I have photographic evidence of these showing up in all sorts of places... plus they're cheap! (Usually around $20)
8. Don't bother with an A-frame. These are played out as is and you never really need it.
9. Get some personal items! These are the coolest aspect of any impression, and add ALOT to it. When your breadbag is stuffed with all sorts of awesome period stuff/issue items, and you get captured at an event, sometimes it's hilarious to see a GI's reaction when you have all that stuff cluttering your pockets.
10. Get a Soldbluch. A friend of mine (Chris Pittman) does the best Soldbuch filling-out services I've ever seen. He does all the books for our unit (3PGD), and has tons of stamps. Here's a link to his website:
intrenches.com/ The best Soldbuecher can be purchased from:
www.pockettrash.com/german/ID_docs/SB_heer.html Be sure to get the one with cloth binding tape! If you're on a mega budget, most vendors sell a lower-quality Soldbuch that gets the job done. It just has a few spelling errors that the non-german-speaker wouldn't catch. IMA also offers a rather "cheap" soldbuch for like $5 or something. If you're carrying your soldbuch at events, it will eventually get soaked through and be reduced to tatters (as most originals are, this isn't always just from age, but from legitimate wartime use) and the original quality of the item won't matter.
11. You need a Bayonet! They make affordable repros now, or get a mismatched original. Vit Zemanek makes the best frogs, but one from any vendor will "get the job done."
12. E-tool/Shovel/Spaten (whatever you want to call it) is also a necessity. Postwar/wartime Swiss ones, postwar NVA/East German, and Postwar Dutch (ATF sells these) all work fine for the straight shovel. Carriers can be found at any vendor. Mine is a Presstoff/Ersatzleder carrier in black from Frank Barone, but the leather ones can be found anywhere.
13. Gas Mask Canister w/Gas Mask. You don't need the mask to start off with, but I like having mine. I always carry my mask. They sell repro canisters now. The "short strap" is a little long, but you can replace that strap with a postwar Bundeswehr one. Otherwise, the cans are great, come with the insert, and I even like the fabric of the strap!
I usually insist on buying "top quality" items first and foremost, but I understand this is just my viewpoint on the hobby and I can't tell you how you're supposed to do it, just how
I would. Your impression is off to a good start, and I understand you're young and this usually entails = budget. Eventually you'll progress to better repro boots and gamaschen, but the ones you have will suffice. I gotta say, your uniform doesn't look "too new/fresh out of the box" with the fold lines from packing still on it- this is a good thing. Keep up the good work, and maybe one day I'll see you in the field.
Horrido!
-Gefr. Pawel
ALSO The little ties on the bottom of the Keilhosen/trousers go under your foot and the cloth things go through the eyelets on the bottom of the pants. Then you tie 'em off and the pants stay nice and taught. I wear suspenders with my Keilhosen. You can pick these up at most large event/from most vendors for cheap. The Czech ones are perfect.
*edit double quoted
*edit, more junk added