Quality WWII Repro German Uniform/Equipment/Accessories?

GoodDoomguy

GoodDoomguy

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Hello guys, hoping to buy the whole package, reproduction WWII German Uniform, Equipment, and Accessories. Are there quality stores specializing in these? I don't mind the price, but hope them repros to be "authentic" in terms of appearance and materials used. Any suggestions welcome, and thanks in advance for reading!
 
I got my repro web gear and accessories for my garand/1911 rig from Man the Line. They also have uniforms and look very good. I think in range tv also just did a video on smocks and have a link there to another site that sells repro gear. Lots out there just look around for the quality and price you want.
 
As much as I hate directing anyone to do business with Nazi Bill... He did get the nickname for a reason...

http://www.thingsmilitary.com/wwii-german

Just count your fingers after you shake hands with him. As another forum member aptly put it "Nazi Bill would tell you your mother is on fire in order to sell you a glass of water."
 
Hello GoodDoomguy ,

I spent several years recreating my grandfather's fallschirmjager uniform. I found Hessen antique to be a good supplier, but my advice would be to buy a bulk shipment. They only ship to Canada via UPS and it can be very costly, especially with the current exchange rate. If you do make a big purchase from them click on the UPS Express option to beat the UPS brokerage fee. It costs extra, but your stuff will get to you quicker and its less than the brokerage fee. From their website - "We have negotiated a $10.00 flat rate brokerage fee with UPS for most exports to Canada. This applies to all shipments valued under $195.00 (US), and shipped via UPS Standard. If your order is higher than $195.00 than we recommend you select UPS Express as your shipping method because there is NO brokerage fee with UPS Express."

I found the quality of their products to be average but acceptable, however their customer service was first rate. They have an awesome deal on a full assault frame (sturmgepack) set for $139 US (includes the A frame, zelt, mess tin and A frame pack) that would cost you several times over to assemble separately. Just don't buy any Sturm brand footwear from them or anyone else for that matter - they do not hold up at all.

Hessen has an option for custom insignia sewing - save yourself the money and find a local tailor/seamstress who is comfortable working on Third Reich uniforms to do any custom work. I'd also recommend having your measurements taken by a professional. Buy things that fit the first time, returns are a pain in the rear for everyone.

I tried dealing with At The Front (absolute first rate stuff) but they have an extremely expensive international shipping policy. From their website - "We will not use the cheaper services (Global Priority and Surface) due to a lack of tracking numbers. It has proven too tempting for fraud in the past. DHL, UPS & EMS keep everybody honest. Priority EMS (Priority Express Mail Service with the US Post Office) Basic cost for EMS starts at a one pound rate which is $38.00-$52.00. Yes- if you only need one patch it still must ship this method."

I have also done alot of business with Bill at Things Military over the last decade. He was a key figure in helping me re-create my grandfather's uniform. I can't speak to other people's dealings but I've found him to be excellent to buy from. He used to be heavily into WW2 re-enacting and is ex-military so he has a good working knowledge about what products stand up, what to look for in a quality item and he even referred me to his competitors when he didn't have something in stock or could not get it. Everything I've purchased from him has been first rate, period correct and withstood wear and tear. I recommend him.

I had a bad experience with Military Tour out of Winnipeg. You may have better luck, but I was really put off by their extremely poor customer service and cancelled a large order.

For detail items beyond the basic uniform (flashlight, marching compass, gas mask, canteen, mess kit and personal items to fill a rucksack, ect) E-bay is the way to go.

My best advice however, is to do your homework. Research the uniform, webbing and accessories you are trying to re-create. Be confident you are getting the best for your money. Compare the vendor's description to period pictures or original items listed on reputable militaria sites if you can't examine original items in person. There are a ton of over seas manufacturers out there now with varying levels of accuracy and quality. Don't be tempted by cheaper items (especially footwear or roughly handled items like Y-straps, belt buckles, ect), invest in quality items. There are also a lot of re-enactor websites with reproduction equipment guides and recommended suppliers that you can reference that I found to be of great help.

Good luck, if you need any help PM me.

Brookwood in Saskatoon
 
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ranger_scout - Thank you sir, never even know of Man the Line!! They got lots of stuff I need, have their site bookmarked as I type, thanks again!!

JP - I never knew of 1944 Militaria, they too got wonderful items I need with good prices! Duly noted, much obliged JP! Hessen Antique is the one too found during my search. I like their items, but you mentioned they are of lesser quality, can you tell me how so? Thanks in advance!

grelmar - I can't stop laughing reading your post about this Nazi Bill! Checking out his site now, and yes I'll count my fingers if I ever deal with him, thanks and LoL!

Desert_Fox - Danke Rommel... I mean Desert_Fox! At the Front is excellent, never knew of them and also bookmarked as I type this, thank you sir.

Brookwood - Dear sir, I just finished reading your post, and can I please say Thank You So Much for the thorough and personal experience dealing with the vendors. Also your breakdown of where to buy this and that is more than informative, I'm already taking notes! Yes doing homework and research is what I'm doing now (and loving every minute of it), will share with you and the above kind fellows what I'm working on:

I'm trying to recreate the early/mid war (1940-1942) Wehrmacht Heer Panzergrenadier soldier. To put it simply, Steamboat Willie from the Saving Private Ryan movie. Don't get me wrong though, it's not him I'm trying to recreate (I didn't even know he was a Heer soldat until I rewatched the movie recently). For all this time over the years I have always remembered him as a SS soldier, don't know why. Some pics of what I'm referring to:






Again it's not him, Willie, I'm into. I just always find the soldiers in Zeltbahns very cool to behold. Below is one from Osprey (I think):



And the reason I'm posting here is because I am hoping to have all weapons, uniforms and gears authentic to the era I'm portraying. I bought an uniform set a few months ago on eBay. The seller claims it's what I want. When I got it it looks kind of different than the books and references I had (Osprey books and internet pics). Upon research I realized what he sold me is the M36 uniform tunic and breeches. Although technically used til the early 1940s, I'm not sure if these were used up until 1942, which I asked the seller for. Thus I come to you experts for your expertise, and I must say I already got more progress than I ever imagined! Thank you guys, will keep you posted on my progress, and thanks again for your time reading and especially replying!
 
I forgot to mention, a must have reference book is Deutsche Soldaten: Uniforms, Equipment and Personal Items of the German Soldier 1939-1945

http://www.amazon.com/Deutsche-Soldaten-Uniforms-Equipment-1939-1945/dp/1932033963

There are similar books from the same publisher for other branches of the German military, but this one is a must have for someone starting out. It covers all the basic WW2 German gear used by the common soldier in depth with detailed photographs and explanations. There are other books out there covering the same material, but none quite as good as this one for the basics.

Again, the more homework you do before making a purchase, the less chance you will have of being taken advantage of and the more satisfied you''l be with your gear.

Good luck,

Brookwood
 
Are you looking to just recreate the uniform from SPR, or are you looking at getting into reenacting? If the former, then I give big props to At the Front or 1944 Militaria / SM Wholesale for both uniforms, camo items (go 1944 Mil for camo stuff), and the field gear. If the latter, than I'd still recommend those, but I would first check with the respective unit you've joined / are joining, as each unit will have specific authenticity requirements that may or may not preclude the purchase of specific items, or from specific vendors.

I'd avoid Hessen Antique with every fibre of my being, unless you're a fan of things that only meet the '100 feet authenticity standards'.
 
Brookwood, thank you sir! Just bought the reference book you suggested, will let you know when I receive it! Also got your PM, will be writing you a reply now.

Tanis, for now I'm just hoping to collect the impression of the SPR soldier, would love to join a reenactment team but I'm worried I don't have too many weekends I can spend without the company of my newlywed. I'm married just six months ago, still hoping to spend the weekends with my wife accompanying me, and she's not really a war fan. My wife even refused to watch SPR with me for the second time (first time she watched it with me we were still dating). And thank you for the tip on Hessen Antique. Do you have any suggestions for a substitute vendor in place of Hessen's? Thanks in advance!
 
Hello Brookwood, an update on my project. Just got the book a minute ago, Canada Post do work early! I'll be leaving for work now but will begin researching when I get home today, cheers!

 
Hello GoodDoomguy

Glad you got it, smart move, it is a great resource for a newbie. There are more advanced books on equipment for specific branches of the German military in WW2, but this one covers the basics better than any other reference book I've read.

Read it, get familiar with the details and make an informed decision when you purchase an item. You have many, many options of whom to purchase from, the market is saturated with vendors selling varying accuracy of reproductions. It is up to you to decide what degree of authenticity you want and what you are willing to pay for it. Just make sure you get what you pay for.

Enjoy the book!

Brookwood
 
GoodDoomguy said:
Tanis, for now I'm just hoping to collect the impression of the SPR soldier, would love to join a reenactment team but I'm worried I don't have too many weekends I can spend without the company of my newlywed. I'm married just six months ago, still hoping to spend the weekends with my wife accompanying me, and she's not really a war fan. My wife even refused to watch SPR with me for the second time (first time she watched it with me we were still dating). And thank you for the tip on Hessen Antique. Do you have any suggestions for a substitute vendor in place of Hessen's? Thanks in advance!
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For reasonably priced wool uniforms and field gear, At The Front is the best way to go. All the camouflage items that 1944 Militaria sells are made by SM Wholesale, which are among the best going. If you can stomach the price of them, the boots, both jacks and lowboots, offered by SM Wholesale/1944 Militaria are second best only to the stuff Lederarsenal sells (which are the best, bar none, but are extremely expensive with an 8 month lead time). Depending on head size, original helmet shells that have been refurbished are offered by German Helmets Inc and Alexander & Sons, though once in a while ATF and 1944 will have them as well. German Helmets and A&S do offer custom paint jobs though, if you want a Normandie or winter or etc type camo patterns.

Since you're looking at a Heer impression, original items can also often be found, for not really a whole tonne more than the reproductions. Belt buckles are relatively cheap, Splinter pattern zeltbahns are available readily from various militaria dealers, etc. Up to you if you want to go strictly reproduction, or a mix of repro and original, which is what I do for my reenacting purposes.
 
Brookwood, thank you again, reading the book everyday now to get familiar with the gear and equipment. Also on one of the pages found a full-page sized photo of a soldier in Zeltbahn, really cool to look at. Thank you, and will no doubt need your guidance in the future!

Tanis, I have written down the vendors you suggested, will compare and choose between them. Do you do reenactments by any chance? Would love to hear what's it like, thanks in advance!
 
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