Advice for beginner !

Pat wrote: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.

Okay- make sure you look at original straps so that you know how they look when sewn on.

Ben- any good pics in your archive?

Johnny_Costino wrote:

Okay- make sure you look at original straps so that you know how they look when sewn on.

hook on the left (when you wear it) and the canvas folded towards the inside. Same with the other piece. Is that it ?

Yes.

Pat wrote: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).

That shelter half is a really great find, worth a few bob I dare say?

Johnny_Costino wrote:Ben- any good pics in your archive?

Will post some close-up shots of original straps this afternoon.

Cheers,
Ben.

As promised, here are two photographs showing the details of the chinstrap stitching on the M1 Helmet shell. These photographs are taken from an original fixed bale shell ID'd to a Captain:





Hope they help, Pat. If it's of any use, the correct English term for the method used is a "bar-tacking", or "point de bride" en francais!

Kind regards,
Ben

Thanks a lot Ben for these usefull pictures (couldn't find pictures that were focusing on the stitch area) !!

hi I would like you to tell me what buckle boots you find best (in terms of color leather, sole, etc..)

First one

http://www.paratrooper.fr/zoom.aspx?pf=150/p0_150.jpg

http://www.paratrooper.fr/zoom.aspx?pf=150/p1_090305114823.jpg

They look quite good but I find the leather "legging" a bit too brown.

Second one

http://www.ww2-soldiers.com/produit/fiche.php?id=2079

The leather "legging" is lighter than for the other one but the rest of the shoe looks less accurate (looks).

Thanks again to everyone for your help.

Pat, your best bet is the second pair. The ones offered by Michel (Paratrooper) are too dark on top. When first issued they would have looked like those available from the second vendor.

Here is a shot of Dad's original pair:



Cheers,
Ben.

Just noticed that those offered by the second seller are produced by Strum (Mil-Tec). Just be careful that they have the correct sole, and not the bar example sometimes offered by Sturm.

Cheers,
Ben.

well the ones offered by the second one have bar soles whereas the ones sold by Paratrooper have "diamond" soles

You should be able to find some which have all the good features. Have you tried At The Front?
http://atthefront.com/us/footwear/two-buckleboots.html

Thanks,
Ben.

I think I'll get them at ATF as they seem a good repro and probably better quality than the French ones. The exchange rate make them at the same price than the French ones. Thanks a lot Ben !

Pat wrote:I think I'll get them at ATF as they seem a good repro and probably better quality than the French ones. The exchange rate make them at the same price than the French ones. Thanks a lot Ben !

Watch out for import tax Pat it can add quite a bit to the price when you add on posatge.

murph wrote:
That shelter half is a really great find, worth a few bob I dare say?

I read they have earned a lot in value over the last few years. They're becomming harder to find (as everything ) and more and more people tend to cut them to make German helmet covers ! Found one yesterday in a shop in Paris at 185 € !! Will bring it to fort Amherst for the CP.

murph wrote:

Watch out for import tax Pat it can add quite a bit to the price when you add on posatge.

We'll see but I think it's still probably a good deal (if you think how long an ATF pair is going last compared to a Miltec one)

What do you think about the Buckle Boots sold by Epic Militaria ? They seem correct but I don't know anything about the sole (no picture). Can you tell me how the sole is ?

Anybody? I've not seen them myself.

Well I've searched the net to find opinions about the subject : apparently, the buckle boots are good but nobody talks about the soles . If the soles are good, I think I'll buy a pair : I'll have less fees than ordering a pair from ATF.

I assume that they're the same ones sold by Paratrooper in France. They are all made by Sturm and have the incorrect bar sole. I've not owned a pair though, so I don't want to say for certain!

Cheers,
Ben.

Pat I think it's a bit of pot luck with these boots. I've seen some fall apart after only a few wears and others seem to go on forever regardless of where you get them. Apparently the SOF ones are now pretty good, if they were sent to a UK address on your behalf you can pick them up when you get here.

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for their kind advice. I'd like to sort things out, that is to say : the ones sold in France are apparently the last ones to buy. The ATF's boots are accurate but I'm taking the risk of paying expensive shipping, taxes and expensive back-shipping if they are not the size (my size changes every time I buy a pair ). So the best solution appears to be the UK. So now SOF seems better than Epic Mil. The final word might be SOF. Any other advice ?

@ Murph : I'd like to get them before fort Amherst so I can dub them and get used to wearing them.

Pat i bought SoF for Peak Rail, and mine were fine id worn them several times before hand so broken in and dubbined them and cant say ive had any issues. so far so good.

Pat wrote:First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for their kind advice. I'd like to sort things out, that is to say : the ones sold in France are apparently the last ones to buy. The ATF's boots are accurate but I'm taking the risk of paying expensive shipping, taxes and expensive back-shipping if they are not the size (my size changes every time I buy a pair ). So the best solution appears to be the UK. So now SOF seems better than Epic Mil. The final word might be SOF. Any other advice ?

@ Murph : I'd like to get them before fort Amherst so I can dub them and get used to wearing them.

I'm sure shipping charges with SOF won't be too bad for France, luckily enough they are like carpet slippers in that they rarely rub and I find them the most comfortable boots going. Sorry for bombarding you with 'advice' pat. The problem is that everyone means well but for a new guy it gets mighty confusing but don't worry it will start making sense in about ten tears time!

Let me know if you need any help.

Finally I think I'm going to go for the SOF ones. Thanks to all ! I really appreciate your advice ! Can't wait to hold the line with you guys !

Pat wrote:Finally I think I'm going to go for the SOF ones. Thanks to all ! I really appreciate your advice ! Can't wait to hold the line with you guys !

Likewise!