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Post by spitfire740 on Feb 16, 2006 17:49:47 GMT -5
My M43 jacket is dark khaki, it looks almost green. I found a good deal of a set of webgear, but the only problem is that it is a tannish color. Would that be accurate for a M43 dark khaki jacket to be mixed with tan webgear?
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Post by Guinness on Feb 16, 2006 19:41:41 GMT -5
Yes sir,
The M43's began the era we know to be "OD green" instead of the khaki that the M42's were. And even though during this time the US Military began transitioning away from the 'tan' khaki colors to the darker OD green shades, they never really said "Ok, turn in all your current khaki web gear to the quartermaster for replacemenrt" They said "When it's worn out or "Un-Servicable" you can fill out form DD1944/11-14 and requisition a new replacement from Supply.
-G
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 16, 2006 19:57:32 GMT -5
A mixture of OD and Kahki web gear is not only acceptable it's quite authentic for late in the war (anytime after late 43.) A mixture of shades even within units was quite common. The Khaki web gear tends to be more desireable and expensive in the reenactment community due to it's recognizable WW2 and pre war vintage, rarity (compared to OD) and the fact that it can be worn authenticaly for any period and campaign of the war from the Pacific to North Africa, The Mediterranean and Northern Europe. As for shades of jackets, even the M-41 and Parsons jacket varied greatly in shade from Pea green to a light tan. The M-43s were more uniform when issued but fade at a dramatically varied rate depending how much time them seen field use and how often they've been laundered.
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Post by CPL. Mills 2nd Rangers on Feb 16, 2006 22:52:47 GMT -5
Here is what they say at ATF about Kahki and OD gear: Q: What is "khaki"? A: "Khaki" refers to a color usually considered to be a shade of tan. It is a mix of gray, green, brown and white. Many people insist that all things GI and pure used during the 1940's were "khaki" in color and that the suggestion of the presence or existence of any other color or shade of their beloved khaki (specifically the ultra-evil "olive drab") during this period is akin to trying to peddle "Jesus got laid last night" t-shirts at a Southern Baptist convention. Much to our pleasure, historical facts prove these khaki-hounds need to go back to grade school, as well as the optometrist. Q: When did they start using OD gear? My unit commander says that "khaki" is required. A: We have seen examples of 1942-dated OD (#7) and half OD/khaki (what is referred to as "transitional") gear come through our shop. ( Click here to see a scan of a 1943-dated legging, OD#7) There are those that argue that even though OD#7 started creeping into production by 1942, that it took too long for the stocks of it to reach England for issue to US troops, even those launched onto Normandy. Hogwash. Through careful examination of even black & white period photos, you can see GI's wearing gear that has noticable darker shades (often mixed in with khaki gear). A Normandy veteran even told us himself that they loved the "new" OD gear as it was the new, hip thing, and he had plenty of it on him when he jumped there. This is why cracking some books pays off. Most M43 folding shovel carriers were all OD, or at least "transitional". It is safe to say that by 1944, a lot of OD gear is completely correct.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 17, 2006 0:57:55 GMT -5
Thanks PVT Mills. It's good to see accurate data to suggest that there was a great deal more flexibility in acceptable wear throughout the war especially by US forces. Obviously OD was available even earlier then I was lead to believe.
I know from veteran interviews that as mentioned above, OD was the preferred item once available. It frankly was better camouflage especially in the forests of northern Europe where GI occassionally turned their M-41s inside out so the liner would provide better concealment then the light tan. This was generally only done on patrol and has been confirmed from Infantry veteran interviews. Soldiers also sometimes subdued their khaki tan gear with splotches of black or OD paint.
The Khaki web gear will in my opinion look great on a M-43 jacket! A mixture of shades on a complete set also looks fine and is confirmed in all but the most chickes**t of outfits.
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Post by spitfire740 on Feb 18, 2006 22:14:49 GMT -5
cool, nice info! I think I might give the khaki a try, and if it doesnt work, I guess I could sell it for a reduced price. It's worth a try...
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 18, 2006 23:09:22 GMT -5
Spitfire! Khaki web gear is usually more desireable and brings MORE money then the late war OD. I actually think the tan web gear on an OD jacket would look even better as it would make youre impression that of a "grizzled veteran" who receieved the new M-43 jacket but was still using his original issue web gear. A very common occurance as web gear rarely wore out and needed to be replaced.
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