Post by egon on Mar 25, 2017 7:26:03 GMT -5
Vendors come and go and some improve and decline. I think Rick Choltko's expertise on picking these can't be beat. But here are my preferences for what it's worth:
Before going any further, if you want the absolute best that money can buy-- and it's not cheap-- Bill Bureau, the U.S. dealer for the German manufacturer Janke, is your "go-to". His email is BillsMili@aol.com. You'll need precise measurements, and it takes about 4 to 6 weeks start to finish. Janke's fabric and craftsmanship is superior. This is as close as you can get to the concept of "private purchase." I have two dress tunics (one in gabardine, one in doe-skin), two Schirmutzen and two pairs of breeches with a pair of Berghosen on order. Nothing quite compares. I just used Lost Battalions for a field tunic, and they did a find job for about half the price that Janke would charge. Dave Reiner is ordering a tunic from both ATF and LB to compare and contrast. Should be exciting to see what he says.
Bergmutz
Our own Rick Choltko makes the best. Accept no others-- you can't get the accuracy and quality from anywhere else. I have three Bergmutzen from Rick-- one in Feldgrau, one in an original material he found that is more light weight, and one in some tricot material that I provided to him.
Do not fall for the M43 long-brimmed field cap sold at so many vendors...this is NOT a mountain cap.
Tunics and Trousers:
ATF, Hessen, Gavin, etc.... If you are looking for wool M36 and Keilhosen, I think ATF is overall the best value-- Roland does the research and pays careful attention to detail. He is honest, reliable and the prices are affordable. My sense is that Hessen's quality on wool products has dropped off and there are some shortcuts. However he does offer a wider range of HBT and stock more often than not-- ATF is catching up though. Gavin has been quite good in the past, but I haven't had any recent experience.
Berghosen
Right now, there are only two sources. The first is Hiki, which is overseas in China, so they are priced cheap so you can afford the shipping. The first run they did was the best. Subsequent runs have some issues. Steingrau is the signature color and is my preference, but their current runs of steingrau are in my opinion too dark. You can get them in Feldgrau and while I don't like that as much, that's what I recommend for the time being. The wool is of average quality. I recommend you pop them in the dryer for a light heat short cycle with a lot of dryer sheets to get the wool to soften and breathe. I've ordered a custom pair from Janke in Feldgrau (that's what was available), so that we have an example of the most accurate other than an original.
Field Gear
I like to buy original gear whenever possible for canteens, buckles, mess kits, rifle pouches, compasses, and of course optics...I've used Drew's 1944 Militaria often for these, along with reproduction clothing like sweaters, socks, etc. I also have a repop breadbag from 1944 that is superbly accurate. For repop, I like ATF.
Leather
Our own Tom Linder is, like Rick with the headgear, the best for anything made of leather. I have belts and Y straps from Tom. His authenticity and quality of product can't be beat.
Before going any further, if you want the absolute best that money can buy-- and it's not cheap-- Bill Bureau, the U.S. dealer for the German manufacturer Janke, is your "go-to". His email is BillsMili@aol.com. You'll need precise measurements, and it takes about 4 to 6 weeks start to finish. Janke's fabric and craftsmanship is superior. This is as close as you can get to the concept of "private purchase." I have two dress tunics (one in gabardine, one in doe-skin), two Schirmutzen and two pairs of breeches with a pair of Berghosen on order. Nothing quite compares. I just used Lost Battalions for a field tunic, and they did a find job for about half the price that Janke would charge. Dave Reiner is ordering a tunic from both ATF and LB to compare and contrast. Should be exciting to see what he says.
Bergmutz
Our own Rick Choltko makes the best. Accept no others-- you can't get the accuracy and quality from anywhere else. I have three Bergmutzen from Rick-- one in Feldgrau, one in an original material he found that is more light weight, and one in some tricot material that I provided to him.
Do not fall for the M43 long-brimmed field cap sold at so many vendors...this is NOT a mountain cap.
Tunics and Trousers:
ATF, Hessen, Gavin, etc.... If you are looking for wool M36 and Keilhosen, I think ATF is overall the best value-- Roland does the research and pays careful attention to detail. He is honest, reliable and the prices are affordable. My sense is that Hessen's quality on wool products has dropped off and there are some shortcuts. However he does offer a wider range of HBT and stock more often than not-- ATF is catching up though. Gavin has been quite good in the past, but I haven't had any recent experience.
Berghosen
Right now, there are only two sources. The first is Hiki, which is overseas in China, so they are priced cheap so you can afford the shipping. The first run they did was the best. Subsequent runs have some issues. Steingrau is the signature color and is my preference, but their current runs of steingrau are in my opinion too dark. You can get them in Feldgrau and while I don't like that as much, that's what I recommend for the time being. The wool is of average quality. I recommend you pop them in the dryer for a light heat short cycle with a lot of dryer sheets to get the wool to soften and breathe. I've ordered a custom pair from Janke in Feldgrau (that's what was available), so that we have an example of the most accurate other than an original.
Field Gear
I like to buy original gear whenever possible for canteens, buckles, mess kits, rifle pouches, compasses, and of course optics...I've used Drew's 1944 Militaria often for these, along with reproduction clothing like sweaters, socks, etc. I also have a repop breadbag from 1944 that is superbly accurate. For repop, I like ATF.
Leather
Our own Tom Linder is, like Rick with the headgear, the best for anything made of leather. I have belts and Y straps from Tom. His authenticity and quality of product can't be beat.