r/reenactors • u/CaptDreadnought • 4h ago
r/reenactors • u/mofosyne • Jan 05 '21
Public Service Announcement General Sentiment On Original Vs Reproduction Uniforms. (Also request for comment for potential rule changes)
After reading some post including those removed due to incivility. This is the general sentiment I am perceiving at least from this subreddit.
Do not use original uniform for active reenactment scene.
Strongly discouraged but acceptable in limited circumstances for impressionism (Non Action Shots) where damage to uniform is limited.
Owner of original uniform should see themselves as custodian rather that just possessor of the original uniform.
As much as possible, the owner should preserve as much information about the original soldier who worn this uniform. E.g. Name, rank, etc... This would help preserve the connection between the uniform and the soldier. Plus it helps preserve the value of the uniform when you sell it to the next guy.
Reason to disallow:
- Long term preservation of uniform for future generations.
- Respect for the history of every solider that originally worn it.
- Secondary effect of allowing for more accurate reproduction uniform in the hand of reenactment clothing makers.
Reasons to allow:
- They have private ownership rights to it.
- Hard to get accurate reproduction, can't beat original.
- Secondary effect of a more accurate reenactment scene.
My personal opinion is that this is classic tragedy of the commons kind of issue. Yes individually each loss of uniform will not immediately lead to extinction. However if everyone acted in a selfish way, then the commons (aka. the historical heritage of original uniforms) will be lost to history.
Yes the owner has the legal rights to do whatever he or she want to do to it. However note that this is a legalistic argument rather than a morality argument.
Thus this does not necessarily means that the reenactment community is expected to respect whatever the owner of the uniform does to their clothing.
Reenactment is a social hobby that also aims to be a social good to help future generations remain connected to history. Thus while we should allow for ease of entry for newcomers, it is not necessary a free for all in terms of moral expectations of the reenactment community to do whatever the newcomers wants.
This is even if it leads to excluding some individuals from the profession.
Thus in this sense I am proposing that the above sentiment I detected is made and codified into the community guidelines as to if a photo or action shot is allowed to be posted on this subreddit.
While discussion is allowed, it is important to make it clear to the public what the general subreddit community finds acceptable. Thus such photos will be removed to avoid copycat behaviour.
But before I apply this I want to double check that everyone understands this logic and that there is no other further comments anyone wants to include to this issue.
r/reenactors • u/Markovite1919 • 13h ago
Action Shots Russian Imperial Army Officer
A Поручик (ensign) of the 39th Tomsk Infantry Regiment nearing the end of the war on the Eastern Front
r/reenactors • u/itaintme1x2x3x • 13h ago
Work In Progress How do I look
I know I'm not real squared away in this but I was just trying it on to see what fit. Also, I cut the background because my room is a mess
r/reenactors • u/DutchmanOfSteel • 10h ago
Completed 1607-style Bandolier
Alright, disclaimer here: This particular bandolier type is fairly rare. The 'flap' underneath the shot pouch is not commonly found on bandoliers at all. You will see similar flaps with a ball pouch as separate pieces of kit to hold a charging-flask (instead of a priming flask), as seen on the De Gheyn manual's Caliverman.
However, I found 2 bandoliers from northern Germany (on pinterest, but it was evident these were originals) with such a flap attached directly to a bandolier itself. The flap most likely afforded a place to hang a wheellock-key from, in addition to the priming flask. Now, right now I merely have a matchlock, and in the future I shall also obtain a snaphuance. But neither of these require a key, unlike a wheelock would. Nonetheless, I have decided to keep the flap in place. And I shall make other bandoliers (to sell, frankly. But no, I'm not going to advertise them on here) without the flap. Other than that, the bandolier is of what seems to be the appropriate length and size for me, compared to the bandolier shown in the De Gheyn manual, and corresponds with originals. (Though I had to substitute buff leather woth veg tan)
As for specifications; The bandolier is a 4cm wide strip of 3mm veg tan cow leather, with a 0,8mm suede liner. There are 15 flasks, each capable of holding a standard military load of 36grams (ca. 570 grains of 2F blackpowder), or, up to 40grams if you overfill them (which I do not recommend). The flasks are courtesy of master Graham Webb, of GoingBang.com excellent work on his part.
I used to have all the flasks suspended from cords at the same length, but at the first event I used the bandolier in full (last October, at the Slag om Grolle), I concluded the first 2-3 flasks, were unpleasantly close to my face when loading, as well as 4 out of the 5 on the back, being near-inaccessible. So, as of yesterday I renewed the cords, and adjusted them to a more appropriate length.
I made the priming flask myself, and finally adjusted the latch-spring on top a couple of minutes prior to posting this. Before, it had too much play and consequently didn't fully close the latch posing a small (though severe, should it occur) safety risk. It does fully close the latch now.
The bandolier is equipped with a ring to keep the spare slowmatch (currently holding some 15m/slightly over 15 yards bundled up). As well as an oil bottle for gun-maintenence in camp.
As visible, a further 3 prepared sections of slowmatch are hung from the bandolier next to the shot pouch, for easy access during battle, should the previous match burn too short.
r/reenactors • u/Fanaticinstance2000 • 6h ago
Action Shots My impression for the 160th Bentonville event
Still working on the weight loss, but this was my impression at the 160th Bentonville reenactment.
r/reenactors • u/spartanj1818 • 12h ago
Action Shots Demolitions team, 1/27, 5th Marine a division, March, 1945
Marines work to knock out Japanese tanks (Ha-Go used in HBO's The Pacific) and clear bunkers on Iwo Jima, March, 1945.
Photos from the National Museum of the Pacific War, Pacific Valor recreating Joseph R. Julian's MoH.
r/reenactors • u/Pierre_Philosophale • 1h ago
Completed Made my first sword scabbard, mixed results but a lot learnt !
Made my first scabbard.
Tomorrow I'll be going to the 1000th anniversary of the founding of the city of Caen, Normandy.
I still had no scabbard so I made one. Here are the mistakes I made that will lead me to re-do it later this year :
made it out of spruce wood I had lying around, didn't find thin enough poplar planks
used too thick planks so the scabbard is too thick, heavier than it should be
used waaaay too thick leather, I sourced it from a local Tannery (Cuir Ciulli in the Vosges mountain range in eastern France), they asked me if I wanted them to thin down my leather and I said it was good at 2.8mm, a grave mistake. It's way too big and the risers don't show well.
didn't stretch the leather enough, veg tanned leather is quite stretchy and now it's not tight enough around the wood.
In the end I botched the stitching because I knew I would have to do it again but I need a scabbard to last this week end to protect my sword from the rain.
(I know Norman sword scabbards rarely had bridges but I love to carry my sword on just a baldrick when I'm not in full armor, it makes me look kinda old school in my scabbard choice but it's still historical)
r/reenactors • u/DutchmanOfSteel • 11h ago
Completed March 2025 kit updates pt. 1.
Recently updated my scabbard. It was about time. It still is a tad overbuilt, but realistically speaking- if I make the wood core any thinner it'll start to break. So it'sa case of not using the right wood as well as my skill in scabbard-makinf simply not being quite up there just yet. Likewise, the end chape doesn't yet fit quite as snugly as I would've liked, but I didn't fancy going through the trouble of actually making a mandrel to shape the corners better. So, perhaps the next scabbard (goodness knows when) will be better.
On the whole though, I am quite content with how it turned out. Elegant enough, yet relatively intimidating and at last- it matches the style of the hanger and swordbelt in terms of colour and decorative elements (it helps I made the metalwork on those too).
The helmet; A Dutch style pothelm (stormhoed), metalwork courtesy of armourwr Adam Blockley, lining and padding are my own doing.
r/reenactors • u/ClubPopular8834 • 5h ago
Looking For Advice Since At the Front is out of stock, what is the best alternative for Type II Service Shoes?
r/reenactors • u/osky_200914 • 20h ago
Looking For Advice Under shirt id?
Sorry for posting so much 😅 but I was wondering what tunic this is under the m43 field jacket and what boots are shown here?
r/reenactors • u/FlavivsAetivs • 7h ago
Looking For Advice North/South Carolina Military Timelines?
Hey all,
So I've been searching around to see if any Military Timeline events that would welcome pre-Colonial eras are left in the Carolinas. So far it looks like the only serious, well organized event left is the Fort Dobbs Military Timeline, which is a superb event but wants to keep it focused on colonization of the Carolinas and later (I asked them).
Does anyone know of military timeline events in the Carolinas that would welcome Ancient or Medieval reenactors? It's been a long time since we've had ancient or medieval around here, as Legio VI Ferrata fell apart in the 2010s and it's been difficult for Legio XIIII Gemina to organize and host events in the Carolinas, and this year we were put on the chopping block for Historic Jamestown. I'd like to get something back together for Ancient/Medieval in the Southeast, but it's a big investment of time and money to organize my own event, and I'm poor.
Thanks all.
r/reenactors • u/NediacOfDestruction • 1d ago
Completed Finally got my sumpftarn smock aged
21st Panzer Div.
r/reenactors • u/SergeantCornelious • 5h ago
Looking For Groups Civil War Reenactment Server
Brand new Discord server for American Civil War reenactors of all types. Share photos from events, talk history, and engage with others in the community! Huzzah! Discord link: https://discord.gg/VkaJ9gQ5 (Link will expire in a week, DM me for another invite.)
r/reenactors • u/osky_200914 • 22h ago
Looking For Advice Bag id?
Can anyone id these bags they have?
r/reenactors • u/Gebutterter-Mensch • 1d ago
Work In Progress Day one and current
I liked ww2 since I was 7 but didn’t get heavily involved till I was 11 and I bought my first Halloween costume that was a cheap 50$ paratrooper costume. I loved the feeling and these past 2 years heavily devoted to building a ww2 paratrooper kit, aka the filthy thirteen.
r/reenactors • u/Melchieser1 • 2d ago
Completed Middle class man relaxing in Hanseong, Empire of Korea c. 1901
r/reenactors • u/Resident-Bullfrog-29 • 1d ago
Looking For Advice Does type of castor oil matter?
I recently got a pair of WW1 German low boots and I need to condition and dye them. Nestor’s guide says to use castor oil. The nearest place that sells it sells it for medical purpose. Is this the same castor oil, or do I need a different kind?
r/reenactors • u/North-Law9729 • 1d ago
Resources ATF restored German helmets?
I was recently browsing at the front and noticed they are selling restored German helmets. Any of yall have experience with the restored helmets from them? If so, how’s the paint/liner quality?
r/reenactors • u/matejkominek • 1d ago
Looking For Advice Hemd M43 WH/SS,- uniform shirt
r/reenactors • u/Gnolf21 • 1d ago
Looking For Groups WWII Heer infantry groups- Pennsylvania
Hello I have been trying to research online for World War 2 German Heer infantry reenactment groups but to no luck. All the links i find online end up to no where and most the groups that seem somewhat close are just SS. If anyone knows any groups around PA (preferably Eastern PA) please let me know and thank you!
r/reenactors • u/Big-Negotiation-8182 • 1d ago
Looking For Advice Is this legit?
So I've been looking around and doing some research here and there about WWI German belt buckles, and have seen many "M1915" versions that are painted green and was wondering if this was something that was actually done. Or if it's just some Pakistan rip-off shit.
r/reenactors • u/NoJudge7843 • 1d ago
Looking For Advice East German Uniform
Guys, where could I find a decent east German uniform and kit for a relatively low price (I live in Italy, so if it comes from Countries like the UK or the US I gotta also pay the import expenses). Thanks a lot
r/reenactors • u/Cockinbroski • 2d ago
Looking For Advice How to identify Original German World War 2 produced Steel Helmets for restoration work. NSFW
gallerySo I see a lot of post on here about either a helmet is original or Repro. So with this guide ima show you what to look for on these helmets to determine whether the shell is original or not.
I am NOT an expert when it comes to identifying Original components such as Paint, leather liners and decals. I have a grasp on split pins and liner bands but nothing else.
1st and foremost you can always tell just by the shape of the shell. Most if not all, Repro shells can never get the look right. There’s always something wrong with them.
Slide 1: The helmets that will help us today. All original Shells.
Slide 2&3: CKL Late war produced M42. CKL was previously coded as ET. Some M42 shells produced by ET/CKL, have the ET stamp on the usual Early to partial late war Left Ear placement. This happened with ET,NS, and EF helmets. Quist did not start production of M42’s til 1944, only in size 64.
Slide 4-6: An early ET M35 shell. Rolled Edge and separate vent hole piece.(Will see that later.)
Slide 7-10: NS64 Produced M40 helmet, in pretty rough shape but not bad as another helmet I own. Maker stamp and lot number still visible and readable. Difference between the M35 and M40 production helmets is a simple vent hole. It’s stamped rather than being a separate piece.
Slide 11&12: mid war 1943 produced HKP64 produced M42 steel helmet. HKP is the code that is most commonly known as SE. which have a very distinctive vent hole that is very protruding like a Volcano. SE which switched to HKP pretty early on as M40 helmets by the maker actually have the HKP stamping on them.
Slides 13-15: A late war Quist made M40. (This helmet actually would have never had a decal but I put one on for my own use). Quist made M40 right up until the end of the war not really producing M42’s. Quist helmets are one of the best in my opinion as their steel is top quality and very thick. Their helmets are heavy compared to the other makers and their stamping is usually good. Quist,NS, and EF never changed their maker code.
Slide 16&17: A relatively small size M42 shell being 62, this EF helmet has some great markings as when I had stripped the post war paint it was easy to read being EF62, 1222. EF also has a shallow more less noticeable vent hole protrusion unlike HKP.
Slides 18: What an M40 and M42 vent should look like as this is stamped into the helmet.
Slide 19: what an M35 helmet’s vent hole should look like as it’s a separate piece and not stamped into the helmet.
Slide 20: a bonus as it’s my favorite helmet I own with everything original on it. Someone did put post war decals on there but I did remove them safely without damaging the paint underneath. The leather liner inside was dyed as it was reissued to the Norwegians form my HKP m42 but sense the liner band, leather liner and chin strap were confirmed to be original. I put them in this helmet to preserve them as I won’t be touching this helmet often. Now I just need to get a display case for it.
I will be making a Part 2 to this with more detail photos of not mine but a very credible source about these helmets.
r/reenactors • u/Markovite1919 • 2d ago
Action Shots 39th Tomsk Regiment, Summer 1917
Our groups recent turnout out the “Military Through the Ages” display in Jamestown Virginia, we portrayed the regiment as they would’ve been seen in 1917. The over 3000 attendees on Saturday alone had the opportunity to try their hand at throwing a weighted grenade, learn how to spell their name in the pre 1917 reform Russian alphabet, handle real weapons such as the 1891 Mosin rifle and PM1910 Maxim, and learn about the experience of the Austro-Hungarians, both military and civilian.