Advice needed.

Hi guys, hope everyone is doing o.k.

I need a bit of advice, as I am concerned about getting it wrong!!

Where is the best place to get a repro M41 jacket, and also garrison cap with insignia? If I am to get a garrison cap with insignia, what would be the best insginia to get?

I am looking at getting another couple of M41s, one for 'Best' and another for roughing it so to speak. Would love to get an original off e-bay, but you never know what your getting. Even then if you get a minty one, it will cost the earth, but that would be the one for best. What do I do????

I have recently treated myself for my birthday to a M42 para jacket and trousers from ATF .

Also still on the lookout for a war dated garand, preferably pre 45, there is one for sale on the WW2 forum, but the guy doesn't seem to want to sell as he hasn't replied to my pms!!! Maybe sold to someone else but hasn't told anyone

Hope to see everyone before long

Cheers for any help,

Richard.

The best M41 Jackets that I have seen to date are available from Peter De Brabandar. The colour is spot on for a minty WWII issue example, the buttons are good and they have a Talon zipper. I'll start a reference thread about these when I get home, in a similar vain as the one I put together on the M1942 Uniform.

You can get them from Peter's website:
www.quatermaster.be

When you say a Garrison Cap with insignia, I assume you mean the Airborne patch. That largely depends upon what Unit you see yourself doing more. If it's 101st, then go with the blue patch with Parachute insignia only. If it's 82d you're looking at doing more, then go for the red and blue combined insignia.

The best place for insignia and the like is Andrew Butler. He's based in Normandy, and his prices are middle of the range. His stuff is top quality though. Garrison Caps are something you really need to feel in hand, but I wasn't too impressed with the recent batch of ATF's. I'd go with Warhorse Trading; their OD Wool material is about the right weave, but they use a synthetic sweatband material. Once it's on your head, you can't go wrong. Of course if you've got the right sized head, you could always get yourself a 1950s dated original and purchase the piping separately...

Thanks,
Ben.

Admin edit: Moved to Advice & Guidance to avoid clutter in the Reference Forum...

I support Ben with advice on the Garrison caps- I bought from ATF and was far from impressed. Yet Murph bought one from Dead Mans corner and it was very very good.

Thanks for the advice guys, keep it coming!!
Ben, I am having trouble with the link, are you?

Richard

Yeah, that'd be the missing "r" in Quartermaster...

His site used to reside at: www.quartermaster.be. It looks like it's no longer there, though! He should be at Malvern in a couple of weeks though.

Cheers,
Ben.

HI RICHARD,got my garrison cap from warhorse, very happy with it mate.

riz

rizla wrote:HI RICHARD,got my garrison cap from warhorse, very happy with it mate.

riz

Ditto.

Chris.

Cheers Guys,
Ben, unfortunately I won't be able to make Malvern as I am working. However if you are going and Peter is there, could I impose on you to obtain a couple of jackets??
Cheers
Richard

I'm not going I'm afraid Richard, but I think Dad mentioned that he might pop...

Cheers,
Ben.

Hi all, Pete DeBrabender website below....I totally agree, Garri caps = Warhorse,...excellent.

http://www.qmi-shop.be/home/
Pete

Hi chaps, is anyone going to Malvern this Sunday?
I'm not sure if I'm going, or whether to save the money for the Ciney fair in Belgium at the end of April. If anyone else is going, what are they going for? I know Richard wanted a couple of 41 Jackets if we were going, but I realy can't make up my mind

Cheers,
Chris.

hi chris, iam skint, thats what happens when one says we need a new carpet.

riz

Not me, will be away in Ireland for a week starting Saturday.

I'm poor too so won't be going!

samharris45 wrote:I'm poor too so won't be going!

Ditto... Bring on payday!

Chris don't worry if you can't get, I will have to wait. The only thing with trying to order from Peter de thingymajig's website is that there are very few photos of the products he sells. So am reluctant to order off the site. He also sells a repro sleeping bag, and I wonder what that is like!. Managed to get a 1942 dated Enlisted Jacket off t-internet very cheaply. Hope it is a good one???
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300404537227&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Richard.

Nice find Richard. cheap too. IF I do go to Malvern on Sunday what size 41 Jacket do you need?
It's looking like we're all in the same boat financially.

Cheers,
Chris.

Size 42 Chris Please. But as I say, don't worry if ya don't go.
Richard.

Well I finished up going to Malvern today. There wasn't as many traders as there usually is and far fewer punters than normal. I didn't manage to find anything out of the ordinary either
I did buy two 1944 dated OD7 GP ammo bags unissued £35 the pair, some wood tent pegs for the tentage, some new Double Buckle boots. as Ben has reclaimed his after last years "In The Footsteps" march an OD 3 82d style "rigger" pouch for a fiver, Two boxes of hexi blocks (they always come in, I'm not sure what for ) and an oil bottle for Bens new toy.
Richard, De Brabender was there but the only size he didn't have was a......... 42, sorry

Chris.

No worries at all Chris. Are his still the best to get, as I might as well order off t'interweb?

Cheers
Richard.

I've checked ours today and they are made by I.M.E. Sportsware Co. or thats whats on the lable in the pockets of both our jackets. I got mine about 3 years ago off wait for it..... Soldier of Fortune Ben got his last year off De Brabender but the jackets he had yesterday although very similar, (anorack time, the buttons were a bit too pale, the pocket linings were the wrong colour and the cut looked wrong, but that may have just been me,) are his own make and have De Brabender Sportware lables in the pockets. The material did however look the right colour.
I don't know if any of the other vendors stock the I.M.E. made ones or if anyone knows who makes them? Maybe a google search might come up with something?
Just my thoughts.

Cheers,
Chris.