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Post by volkssturm on Nov 29, 2015 15:17:58 GMT -5
So, there' some talk of trying to put on a winter game here and I was looking around for some cheap allied loaner gear to try and encourage a turn out. M41 and M43 repro jackets are too pricey for my bank account. I ran came across the Austrian M65 field jacket at Vermont Barre Army Navy on sale for $11.48 ea. and figured what the heck, at that price why not. I ordered a couple, thinking they would be like the US M65 jacket. What came is closer to an M43. It has a zipper, unlike the M43, but it has buttons instead of snaps, like the US M65. The cuffs are button instead of Velcro. The buttons are green instead of brown and not dished like the M43. It has an integral hood like the M65. The color seems to vary, One was more green than my repro M43 and the other was darker. Another difference is that they come in different lengths. VT Barre didn't offer a choice, and they only had mediums but I've found other place that have choice.
The down side is that VT Barre doesn't list them anymore. I guess at $11 and change they went fast. I've found them listed at several places, from around $30 - 55, with limited selection. For loaner gear they're worth watching out for sales.
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Post by volkssturm on Nov 29, 2015 15:33:19 GMT -5
Austrian jacket on the left, repro M43 on right. This is the darker one. You can see how much longer it is. On a tall person it wouldn't make a difference. Not reenactor quality, but close enough for Airsoft.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Nov 29, 2015 17:17:34 GMT -5
Even the blank fire crowd uses Austrian M65 in place of WWII US M43 jackets. I'm surprised you can find them that cheap! They go for higher since reenactors love the Austrian M65.
Also, another cheap option is to look for US Navy Deck Jackets, from the 1950's-80's era. They are almost cut like a M41 jacket, but with a liner sewn into it.
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Post by insterburger on Nov 29, 2015 20:27:23 GMT -5
For loaner gear that doesn't look too terrible. How hard would it be to cut down the hem?
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Nov 30, 2015 7:27:14 GMT -5
To shorten up the bottom and properly hem it, it isn't too hard of a thing to do. its real simple.
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Post by volkssturm on Nov 30, 2015 13:32:33 GMT -5
Is it really necessary? I didn't really think about it, but didn't the original M43's come in Long as well as Regular?
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Nov 30, 2015 14:20:59 GMT -5
To be honest, I wouldn't really worry about it. Especially if you don't know how sew well. I'd just carefully remove the velcro and call it from there. These are great jackets and I wouldn't mess with them too much, in all honesty.
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