Uniform and equipment
This section is aimed at giving a guide to the items of uniform we require members to own, and the standards they should meet. Due to the cost and delicate nature of original uniform items, we discourage them from being worn as there is a strong chance they may get irreparably damaged.
We will help and advise you where to get your uniform and what items are needed first. For your first couple of events, we should be able to loan you some uniform items.
These are the basic uniform items which should be owned within 12 months of joining the unit.
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Tunic - M36 or M40 is preferred, though M42 and M43 patterns are acceptable. This should be an exact reproduction from an approved supplier. No Swedish conversions are permitted.
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Cap - M43 is preferred, though M38 and M42 side caps are permitted. Splinter pattern camouflage caps are to be avoided. No soutache should be worn on the caps.
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Trousers - M37 or M42 pattern are acceptable. These should be an exact reproduction from an approved supplier. No Swedish conversions are permitted. Braces should be worn with the trousers, again these should be good quality reproductions (modern army braces, civilian braces or clip on braces are not permitted).
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Shirt - should be the grey jersey or cotton pullover type (with or without pockets). Must be an exact reproduction from an approved supplier. No Bundeswehr or tropical shirts are permitted.
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Belt - this should be a good quality reproduction from an approved supplier. Belt should be black leather with the correct Heer belt buckle (has the words Gott Mit Uns on the centre).
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Boots - you can either choose to wear the short ankle boots, or the taller marching boots ("jackboots"). The former can either be a good quality reproduction from an approved supplier, or 1950's/60's Royal Navy deck boots (these will need hobnails and toe/heel plates adding). The latter should be good quality reproductions or post war boots which have been converted (no rubber soles or pebble grain on the outside. There are post-war German fireman's boots available, but these have a internal toecap which gives them the wrong appearance - these are best avoided). If you have large or small feet, you may have problems locating footwear, so you may have to wear what you can find. If you wear low boots, you will need gaiters. These can either be original or good quality reproductions. No post-war gaiters are to be used. They must also be the correct green for the army (not blue Luftwaffe ones).
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Sidearms - as a minimum, you should have a bayonet and frog (original or reproduction frogs are fine). If you desire, you can also carry a pistol. This should be either a P38, PP or PPK - deactivated or blank firing are acceptable. The correct holster should be worn.
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Insignia - all insignia should be good quality reproduction and come from an approved supplier. You will need an eagle and cockade for the cap, breast eagle for the tunic, shoulder boards (with the correct orange waffenfarbe), collar tabs (either the generic style or with orange waffenfarbe. They can be backed or unbacked), an arm eagle and cuff title. New members are not permitted to wear any awards or rank insignia, irrespective of military service or membership of other units.
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Socks - good quality reproductions with the white size rings are preferred, but any grey woollen socks are acceptable.
The following items are useful additional extras, but not essential.
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Greatcoat - a good quality reproduction is preferred, but fully converted Swedish greatcoats are acceptable as a second option (however, the prices now are about the same).
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Reversible jacket - padded jacket worn over the wool uniform in cold weather. Can be either early war grey, splinter or tan and water. Again, these must be a decent quality reproduction. Trousers, gloves and hoods are also available if you wish.
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Gloves - ideally these should be reproduction with the white size rings around the wrist. Modern woollen gloves that are similar are permitted.
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Pullover - this should be a grey woollen type, with a V-neck and ideally a green band on the V and cuffs. Post war German ones are acceptable (as is your old school jumper if it (a) is plain grey and (b) still fits!).
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Toque - grey woollen head covering. These can be post war as they remained unchanged.
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Scarf - again, this can be post war as it was also unchanged. Should be grey wool.
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Torch - can either be original or post war.
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Blankets - any grey woollen blankets are acceptable. at least 1 is useful for putting over your bed.
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Folding camp bed - these can be post war British as they are identical. They should have a wooden frame and canvas base. Modern camp beds must be removed out of sight during the day.
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Cutlery - either the folding fork and spoon (so called 'spork') or the 4 piece clip together styles are acceptable. Can be original, reproduction or post war.
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Feldgendarmerie gorget - quality reproductions are hard to find now, but there are some out there. We have spare ones within the unit we can lend out. Original ones are now £450+ so best left in collections!
The following items make up the combat equipment, but as we are primarily living history orientated, there is no requirement for these items to be owned with the exception of a gasmask canister, gas cape bag and helmet. If you wish to take part in the battles, however, you will need to own at least a basic set of equipment (basic items are indicated by a *).
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Ammunition pouches* - these should be appropriate to the weapon you are carrying. Either originals or quality reproductions are acceptable.
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Breadbag* - can either be of the M31 or M44 pattern. Original or reproductions are acceptable, but must be green. No Bundeswehr, east German, police or Luftwaffe ones.
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Water bottle and cup* - must be of the M31 pattern with either a metal or bakelite cup.
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Entrenching tool and carrier* - should either be original or post war Swiss (straight type) or post war Dutch (folding type). Blades should be black, handles unpainted. Holder can either be original, or quality reproduction.
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Mess tin* - must be an original and have the leather securing strap. No post war styles.
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Gas mask and canister - canister should be a correct pattern military one (i.e. not Luftschultz) with correct webbing straps and to be painted RAL6006 green. Gas mask should be correct pattern war time military style with a filter.
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Helmet - Should be of M35, M40 or M42 pattern with a correct liner and chin strap (original or reproduction). No Bundeswehr, Czech or fire service helmets are permitted. Helmets should be painted either RAL7021 (black-grey) or RAL6006 (green), and may have a single eagle transfer. No camouflage helmets are permitted, and a few camouflage helmet covers are allowed, but only in splinter pattern.
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Gas cape bag - original bag, either of the rubberised type or cloth.
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Zeltbahn* - M31 shelter quarter which can also be used as a poncho. Should be in good condition. Can either be original or good quality reproduction. Splinter pattern only!
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Y-Straps* - these should be of black leather with correct fittings and secondary straps for the A-frame. No webbing straps are permitted. They can either be original or quality reproduction. No post war straps are permitted.
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A frame and bag - made of webbing with leather straps and correct hardware. Original or reproduction are acceptable. Bag should be of canvas and again, either original or reproduction.
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Zeltbahn poles and pegs in bag - either original or reproduction are acceptable. Although each soldier only carried 1 pole and two pegs, they usually come with more. No Swiss splinter pattern bags are permitted.
The following items are not permitted:
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M44 pattern uniforms
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Any SS pattern or Italian camouflage items
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Any non standard uniform items (e.g. splinter tunics and trousers)
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Any Kreigsmarine, Luftwaffe, Polizei or SS uniforms (as we are a Heer unit)
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Any Swedish uniform conversions (with the exception of the greatcoat, as above)
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Camouflage smocks of any pattern
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Any post war uniform items (other than those cited above)