Advice for beginner !

Pat wrote:Thanks a lot for your accurate answers BenM !!

the strengthening pressings on the French BC 1000 are the same than for a WWII US version : a vertical cross (a + ) for the battery box (bottom box) and a cross (X) for the upper box. The antenna and head phones are the same (apparently). I have the 1944 book for radioman that were assigned to a BC 1000 so I have precise references for rebuilding and reparing my radio.

What would be my rank ? PFC, PSC, Technician corporal, Techician sergeant ? what's the difference between a T/3 or T/4 sergeant (what does the /3 /4 mean ?)

Can someone give me the measurements oh M1 Carbine loaders so I can make wooden copies to fill my pouches ?

Thanks a lot !

Hi Pat,

It sounds like you might have got a decent purchase with your BC 1000. Most of the French ones I have seen have two "X" pressings on the top and bottom, like this one:



The /3 and /4 represent Technician Grades: 3rd and 4th respectively. Since you've been assigned an MOS (an interpreter) you would more than likely be assigned the rank of Technician 5th Grade, or T/5.

Cheers,
Ben.

Thanks for your answers.

I'll act as T/5 Corporal (I'm not sure if they had an horizontal band on the back of their helmets)

Unfortunately, the (correct US) radio was already sold when I emailed the guy to buy it . The guy you advised me at milradio has the top case for a good price but that means I have to find the bottom case... That's why I'm still looking for a BC 1000 radio for a reasonable price. If I only find some that are to expensive for me, I might purchase a BC 611 (handie talkie)(for a start) which were also used for communication and are much lighter to carry (24 pounds for BC 1000). BC 611 are much more easily findable (either repros or originals).

Here's an intersting link everyone should go see as reenactor :

http://www.hardscrabblefarm.com/ww2/fall_in.htm

Have fun reading it

Pat wrote:I'll act as T/5 Corporal (I'm not sure if they had an horizontal band on the back of their helmets)

Well, technically the Technician 5th Grades were non-commissioned personnel, and as such in theory would have the horizontal bar on the rear of the helmet. However, you very rarely see the practice done in the field.

Cheers,
Ben.

Pat

This may be of interest

http://www.wwiireenacting.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=150&t=62040

Sam

250 quid for a French one?!

BenM wrote:250 quid for a French one?!

Is that a bad price? I didn't think it was too bad as it seems to have all the kit with it?

But it's French Sam. Our BC-1000 (US version) with all stuff was £90!

Cheers,
Ben.

Thanks a lot Sam for the information (I also sometimes check the sales section on WWIIreenacting.co.uk ) but unfortunately this BC 1000 is way too expensive although it's complete (webbing radio and accessories) but add postage the amount will reach what I'm going to earn with my summer internship !! But again thanks a lot for telling me !

Ben if you can find another one I'll buy it immediately !!!

Thanks folks ! Very kind of you to be interested in my adventure of purchasing a BC 1000 !

My summer homework will consist in restoring my Kar98 bayonet for my equipment. Will post pictures probably tomorrow or Sunday

Finally back in Normandy (drinking Calvados ) !! Now I'm going to have more time to work on my gear. I bought a Carlisle bandage (roughly £3) for my bandage pouch : it's the cardboard version (issued in 1943 so some GI's must have got them during D-Day and later. If you want more info look at http://www.olive-drab.com/od_medical_kits_ww2_ifak_carlisle.php). I'm also going to age and weather my M1 carbine pouches and M36 belt (they really look brand new). But the "big" thing is going to be repairing a german bayonet to put on my M36 belt (as a war "trophy"). It was found by my father in a metal stuff dump. I just have to sand it a bit and carve a new handel as you can see on the pictures.







I think of using walnut tree or apple tree wood since they are quite solid and quite easy to carve. The germans would probably have used oak or beech but it's very difficult to carve (trust me ) A bit of sanding on the blade and the sheath and it should be ok for duty. Do you know how to redo the black gloss paint on the metal parts ?

What you need is a Dremel pat. I might know a man who does...

I do have a Dremel with several accessories to do whatever you want to do (even dental care ).

Pat wrote:I do have a Dremel with several accessories to do whatever you want to do (even dental care ).

Very good

BenM wrote:But it's French Sam. Our BC-1000 (US version) with all stuff was £90!

Cheers,
Ben.

Granted. But you always fall lucky for kit lol!

Here are some pictures on how the work is going on. Still needs some sanding (a lot in fact ) place the rivets (2 per side) and maybe apply varnish on it.






It's made of oak wood (at last choice) like it used to be. Two questions remain :

-what colour I should use to varnish the handel ? I saw many kinds of colours while browsing the net for pictures.
-the bayonet was put on a tipe of leather ring that would be put through a germans belt. The problem is that the ring is too small for a M1936 belt so what would a 1940s GI do to attach the bayonet to his belt ??? waiting for your answers !!!

Hi

My restoration work is going not so bad : the sheath has been sanded and repainted in dark metal paint (still drying !) and the blade has also been sanded thus removing most of the rust. The handel is almost finished : I've put in the rivets in the right place and I just have to do a bit of sanding, polishing, painting and varnishing the bayonet and it will be completely restored.





(sorry I took the picture with my cell phone )

Good work pat! You can come over and help me with my repro ration crates!

would you like to do repro ammo crates ? I looked the one I have and it looks much more work than for a ration crate (I have a C ration crate and a cal 30 bullet in M1 garand clips ammo crate). I don't have the lid : do you know how the ammo crates were closed ? I saw pictures of them being where they were closed with nuts and bolts.

Sorry for the late reply lol,
But I do believe that the Germans used boiled linseed oil on their k98 stocks. Though I am not 100% more like 90%
And also, GREAT work on that woodwork.

I managed to find paint (spray) that looks like oil black metal and applied it to the sheath. After a visit to the Army Museum of the Invalides in Paris, I found how the metal around the handel should be : it should be type of polished-shiny metal. In fact my bayonet is a French bayonet (I was mistaken by the sheath shape) ! it's a late 19th century model (1892 if my memory is good) which was used during WWI and might (5 to 10 % probability) have been issued to central Europe (or Polish) troops garding the Atlantic wall.
I'm currently waiting for an M1 steel helmet (just the pot) from WWII, which should arrive soon.

That's all Folks !

Thats good work Pat-

Where did you get the M1 helmet from?

Do you want to tag along with us when we do Normandy next year?

I bought my M1 Helmet from AMS Militaria for a reasonable price (for France ! ). It needs a bit of restoration : paint and straps. Any advice to give me ?
Here are the miniatures (address below is for bigger size).



https://servimg.com/view/12394265/34



https://i.servimg.com/u/f39/12/39/42/65/spm_a024.jpg

I also got some WWII dated leggings in good shape and a WWII canteen cup and cover : the cover is 1942 dated (G & R Co.), the cup is 1944 dated (M. A. Co.) and the canteen is 1943 from Swanson.

Of course I'll try to join the group for Normandy 2011 (I'll probably have exams but I can't miss a living history trip !!) And you're of course all welcomed to come to my parent's house if you need a quiet and safe place to camp !

Hi guys.

Just found this piece of WWII German tent while I was emptying my barn for the goats. According to what i've found on the Net, 4 pieces were required to form a tent but a single piece could be used as a poncho by the soldier. Will bring it to Fort Amherst for the CP.





Found in the attic

Booklet for French troops during WWI. It's a small dictionnary to speak to German troops (contains words and useful sentences). Signed and dated by my Great Grand Dad, Edouard Alexandre (5th April 1915).

Pat wrote:I bought my M1 Helmet from AMS Militaria for a reasonable price (for France ! ). It needs a bit of restoration : paint and straps. Any advice to give me ?
Here are the miniatures (address below is for bigger size).



https://servimg.com/view/12394265/34



https://i.servimg.com/u/f39/12/39/42/65/spm_a024.jpg

I also got some WWII dated leggings in good shape and a WWII canteen cup and cover : the cover is 1942 dated (G & R Co.), the cup is 1944 dated (M. A. Co.) and the canteen is 1943 from Swanson.

Of course I'll try to join the group for Normandy 2011 (I'll probably have exams but I can't miss a living history trip !!) And you're of course all welcomed to come to my parent's house if you need a quiet and safe place to camp !

Not bad- if you bring it over with you in November I can cork it and repaint it. If you buy the straps from Josh Murray and bring them with you I'll sew them on.

That Zeltbhan is a great find! Three more and you have a useful tent!!!

Well I bought repro straps but I'm struggling to sew them on (i found the pattern of the stitching and everything else) since 3 layers of canvas are hard to get trough with the needle. Tomorrow i'm going to a shoemaker who might have the equipment to sew into hard stuff.