ideas!?

[n5thrangers]

Well im pretty new to collecting and reenacting (im only 15 so i cant reenact for awhile) I have some camoflage hbt's, khaki shirt and all my web gear (minus a bayonet cuz my dad dont want me to have one) Where do i go next? Wools? GP bag? gasmask bag? helmet? Any ideas would be great!

[mrvaughn]

first i'd say think of a unit (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Army Air Corps, etc) that you want to reenact, then join a reenactment unit. They'll be able to help you on details of a specific impression.

Corey Vaughn

[wmac45]

Corey's right. You need to determine what type of unit you want to reenact when you turn 16. Then you can find a unit to help determine what you will need. I would wait on buying the uniform as at 15 you are still growing. Having the basic US webgear isn't a bad thing as it will most likely work for most American units.

[n5thrangers]

Well I know I want to do an Army impression! And i have it narrowed down to three ID"s 30th, 5th rangers and 1st infantry they all have units around me so they would kinda be the three choices for me! im leaning more twords a 1st impression since they were pretty much fighting during the entire war

[1stofthefirst]

For First ID you need wool pants, wool shirt, 1941 jacket, leggings and service shoes. That basic kit will carry you from North Africa in 1942 through Czechoslovakia 1945. There are plenty of photos of guys wearing the wools from beginning to end.

Later you can add the 1943 jacket and combat boot (double buckles) if you want to for later war events, but the wools will still be good to go.

[mrvaughn]

also, buy quality stuff first. You don't want to have to spend more money replacing possible junk later on. At The Front.com is a good place. But, if you join a unit first, they may have extra stuff they may sell you.

[n5thrangers]

Thanks, I honestly only by from ATF everything else... is just sub-par... I have a wool shirt but it was only 15$ at a reenactment and its uncomfortably itchy (wool is but this is too bad) Will dry cleaning help? random question but i kinda want an idea before i spent the 10$ to get it dry cleaned...

[vmfa314]

ATF wool shirts are not itchy at all, you could try washing it in cold water and woollite and the have it drip dry do not put it in the dryer. Dry cleaning it wont make it less itchy. Who made the shirt? is it original?
mack

[n5thrangers]

it is original and its an officers style (without the gasflap) Ill try the woolite its a pretty tight fit now.. hopefull it wont shrink it more!

[wmac45]

Does your shirt have the epaulettes on the shoulders? If it does it is a officers shirt. I don't know of a unit that would let you wear an officers shirt as you will be joining as a private. You would need to get another shirt.

Wayne

[1stofthefirst]

Just because it doesn't have a gas flap does not make it an officers shirt. Many, many, many guys cut that flap out of their shirts because it is bulky and makes it harder to wear the shirt.

WMAC45 is right, if it has epaulets (the extra flaps on the shoulders that button near the collar) then it is an officers shirt, otherwise, it is an enlisted shirt...

[hall]

You have received 2 very good suggestions here-find a unit, and buy the best gear you can for your money. There is nothing worse then throwing good money after bad because you made a wrong decision-on both of these suggestions.
The advantage of the Fighting First is that you can realistically buy 1 uniform and wear it for the entire war. There are pictures of the Weser Crossing near Furstenburg 8-9 April 1945 and there are still soldiers wearing M-41 field jackets and leggings. Of course there are some who got their hands on the M-43 Combat Uniform parts and pieces, but not all.
Take your time-you have plenty of time to get it right-do your research and make smart choices. Some times it is hard for new comers to understand, they are all caught up in the visual stuff-uniforms, weapons, gear, and on and on. But believe me, sometimes you are better off buying a book then some piece of equipment. And not just the "Collector's Guide" type books-the history books of the unit you are interested in including the personal memoirs and experiences books. As important as it is to have the right gear and appearance for the unit you are trying to portray, getting inside the heads OF the guys you are trying to portray is equally important.
What were they thinking?
What were they feeling when....
The pay off in the end will be well worth it.

[n5thrangers]

Thanks! Looks like i'll need a new wool shirt heck it was only 15$ so im not into it too deep (i can use it as a prop for movies with friends) and quality is my number one concern... I bought a repro 25$ helmet liner... and as a kid i wanted to run arround with it and try it out, to get the feel! Sadly it broke after hitting the dirt! haha, so im without a helmet liner :/ I have an M43 E-tool... (since i'm pretty sure the 1st is the unit i want) Should i get a t-handle for a better 1st impression? Are HBT's farby? I personaly liked them better and bought them first (before the wools because there cheeper and im growing)... I look at alot of pictures of slodiers wearing them durring the war, but at reenactments I never see anyone!! Than i looked at a farb website and they were making fun of people for wearing insignia on their HBT... which for a fact I know, soldiers did in ITALTY... some reenactors are confusing!

[1stofthefirst]

Again, it comes down to researching your unit. The HBT uniform isn't really seen at all with the First. Very few pictures and veteran accounts support the widespread use of HBT's in the First.

The First wasn't in Italy, so if you are doing the First, you wouldn't want those pictures as reference.

The HBT was a replacement for the work denim uniform and was only supposed to be used if you were on a work detail so you wouldn't ruin your "combat" uniform. Again, depending on your unit, HBT was used as a combat uniform by some divisions (most notably the 4th ID).

The First didn't use it as a combat uniform because Terry Allen hated it and what your division commander said, went.

You now have had three good suggestions
1. find a unit
2. find the best gear for the money
3. Research, Research, Research

When I got into studying the First ID 25 some odd years ago, I never picked up a stitch of clothing or equipment. I do, however, have over 40 books relating to the First ID, some unpublished. Best investment I have ever made...

[n5thrangers]

Thanks all of you! I will do my best! And hopefully see you guys at some reenactments!

[gijills]

confusing!!! you learn fast grasshopper. As far as advice pick a unit. if there is a unit around you get with them. some units will let you join up in a support position of some kind. Get the proper gear for the unit you are joining. don't buy something cool and try to justify it if it aint so for that unit. Read, Google, read some more and buy books. A good reenactor will have a library of books. go to events talk with people and look and learn. in a short while you will be a old pro!!!

[The Oncoming Storm]

I'd like to add on to what others have advised. As far as entrenching tools go, an M1910 "T-handle" e-tool is good for the entire war, but the M1943 folding e-tool is really only good for post-Normandy and on. Also, the wool uniform will be right for the entire war, where HBTs are not.

[twhigham]

Aug 14, 2012 20:20:37 GMT -5 n5thrangers said:

I have some camoflage hbt's, khaki shirt and all my web gear (minus a bayonet cuz my dad dont want me to have one)

Camo HBTs - USMC or 2nd Armored? Marines will have "USMC" stenciled on the left side. 2nd Armored will be blank.

Web gear - USMC or GI? USMC is blank, GI has "US" stencilled on it.

[n5thrangers]

They're the Camo hbt's from ATF they are the ARMY ones. And my web gear is all army, however im currently working on a Army Pacific impression.

[mikelongley]

If your dad won't let you get a bayonet then a rifle is probably out of the question too.
Have you considered doing a medic impression? It's worth looking into. Not many guys are doing it but the public loves it and ask any veteran ...they loved their medics too.
Good luck
Mike