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Post by stretch on Jan 17, 2007 21:02:22 GMT -5
I wanted to get some ideas about a load bearing suspender for my pistol belt. I currently have a modern belt and suspenders but I would like to get a set of WWII suspenders to look more period (pistol belt at a later date). I was reading another post where it was mentioned M1936 suspenders weren't very common (seems everybody wears/sells them though) so were pistol belts worn by themselves or was there some other option for a load bearing suspender? I know of M1936, M1943/M1944 suspenders as well as a few differnet types of trouser suspenders. I've now gotten confused as to which I should get. All I want is a suspender that can be used to hold up a pistol belt in te later war dark OD color. Any suggestions?
Stretch
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YankeeDiv26
Staff Sgt.
Frustrated Mac Owner
BDM<33
Posts: 2,462
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Post by YankeeDiv26 on Jan 17, 2007 21:11:13 GMT -5
my suggestion would be to opt for some m1943/m1944 suspenders. they are the later war OD #7 (also known as the late war OD). Capt. Zak carries them. www.captzak.com or the link on the ww2aa home page. If you are not already aware he is a highly regarded member of the ww2aa and a great guy to work with. I suggest pming him if you have further questions regarding his m1943 suspenders.
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Nimlas
Master sergeant
grumpy
Posts: 1,594
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Post by Nimlas on Jan 17, 2007 21:12:30 GMT -5
the m1928 pack system worked as suspenders. if you're going for the regular infantry look i would suggest an m1928 pack. they can be had cheaply if you look hard enough. if you're going to be doing airborne, then by all means invest in the m1936 suspenders.
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Nimlas
Master sergeant
grumpy
Posts: 1,594
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Post by Nimlas on Jan 17, 2007 21:26:52 GMT -5
my suggestion would be to opt for some m1943/m1944 suspenders. they are the later war OD #7 (also known as the late war OD). Capt. Zak carries them. www.captzak.com or the link on the ww2aa home page. If you are not already aware he is a highly regarded member of the ww2aa and a great guy to work with. I suggest pming him if you have further questions regarding his m1943 suspenders. they're ok, but pretty late war. they start to show up in late 44. what about the first 3 1/2 years of the war? if you opt for spenders, i would go the m36 route, or, you could just be like me, and buy multiple pairs of both.
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Post by themango on Jan 17, 2007 21:33:59 GMT -5
exactly like Nimlas said go M1928 pack for infantry and M1936 suspenders for Airborne. However the suspenders were not only used by the Airborne. But the M1928 pack was not used by Airborne at all. Go with the haversack as there are already too many airborne out there.
Also again what Nimlas said. Buy multiple things. I have an M1928 pack, M1936 Suspenders and M1944 Suspenders with an M1944 Pack. The more you have the greater it is!
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YankeeDiv26
Staff Sgt.
Frustrated Mac Owner
BDM<33
Posts: 2,462
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Post by YankeeDiv26 on Jan 17, 2007 21:48:36 GMT -5
agreed with nimlas. i was just answering his question but knowing what unit your basing your impression is a factor that must be considered. I personally have opted for the m36 because its use throught the entire war. (and its khaki and not the shunned od#7) another reason is because its most appropiate for my airborne impression. A good rule of thumb to use is that the od#7 is typically late(r) war equiptment.
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Post by stretch on Jan 17, 2007 22:02:26 GMT -5
Well, I'm not honestly doing an "impression" so much as I just wanted to look WWIIish. I actually skirmish alot and I carry a Thompson and M1911 so I thought I'd look like a WWII soldier. The late war dark OD is fine for me as I'm wearing OD green BDU's. The accessories like leggings, boots and suspenders will make it all look a little better (although obviously not correct). I don't want to carry a pack at all so I just need suspenders to hold up my pistol belt. Can I use M1944 suspenders by themselves or do I have to have a pack to go with them? I'm really looking for the cheaper option but I did think about the M1936s @ $50 which is ok.
Also, this may be a total shot in the dark but a local surplus store has some WWII suspenders for about $50. He said the were unissued and dated 1945 (only talked on the phone and haven't seen them in person). Anybody have an idea of which version these could be. I don't really know when production started and stopped on the various versions so I thought maybe somebody might know.
Stretch
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Post by themango on Jan 17, 2007 22:15:08 GMT -5
They are most likely M1944/1945 suspenders. They really didn't see much use durign the war itself but showed up late in the war. And by late I meant the last months. But were used during occupation of Germany after the war all the way up until the Vietnam conflict. They are able to be used without the pack attached and I think they're pretty cool looking. Just that no one seems to do late-post war set ups.
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29ththerealpimps
Private 1st Class
3rd Armored Division 32nd Armored Regiment 83rd Recon Battalion
Posts: 706
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Post by 29ththerealpimps on Jan 17, 2007 22:15:59 GMT -5
I'll just tell you now those are to pricey. If they're the ones with the cloth straps. I got mine for $10.
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Post by stretch on Jan 17, 2007 22:22:01 GMT -5
Alright, thanks for all the advice. I think I'll go with the M1944 versions as these should be the right color and with the dark OD BDU would look a bit better. I guess have a late war looking setup overall. Thanks again.
Stretch
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Post by CharleyNovember on Jan 17, 2007 22:59:38 GMT -5
I payed 15.00 for a pair of 44's at the local Army Navy Store I bought several Norwegian copies in a little lighter color for I think 5.00 a piece. I had not noticed the difference between the 36 and the 44 suspenders till I really started looking at them now I can spot them pretty quick. Sounds like the 44's will do you just fine like you said.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jan 18, 2007 3:23:25 GMT -5
You can absolutely wear the suspenders with a pistol belt and no pack. Check around for decent pricing. Sportsmans guide has some kinda funky ones pretty cheap that actually should suit your purposes just fine. If you hang pouches, a canteen and maybe a holster or bayonet eventually you'll be glad you have the suspenders attached to your pistol belt. They'll not only look better but will function better as well.
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Post by phantom12321 on Jan 18, 2007 22:57:32 GMT -5
Can I use M1944 suspenders by themselves or do I have to have a pack to go with them? Stretch It's an either/or thing. If you are unhappy with the 1944 ones or the ones that you found at the surplus store, I have a pair of 1936 reproduction suspenders I would be willing to part with. If you are interested, please PM me
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Post by caffrey on Jan 28, 2007 18:28:47 GMT -5
For most impressions, the M44 suspenders aren't correct. Few units saw them, and like themango said, not until very late in the war. They are perfect for a Korean War outfit, but for WW2 I would stick to the M36 suspenders.
In all reality, not even most infantry could get ahold of suspenders. Most were simply issued the haversack, and that worked just fine.
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Post by burke on Feb 8, 2007 19:30:28 GMT -5
You can absolutely wear the suspenders with a pistol belt and no pack. Check around for decent pricing. Sportsmans guide has some kinda funky ones pretty cheap that actually should suit your purposes just fine. If you hang pouches, a canteen and maybe a holster or bayonet eventually you'll be glad you have the suspenders attached to your pistol belt. They'll not only look better but will function better as well. I got those...their gone now their a dark OD. I cant tell what year they are but I think their actually 44's. The writing has really faded....anybody knwo what they are for sure? I figured for the price who could go wrong.
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savoy6
Private 1st Class
Posts: 428
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Post by savoy6 on Feb 10, 2007 17:26:16 GMT -5
they were the late war suspenders....they will do fine for the look you are going for... 2nd batt can correct me if i'm wrong,but most folks forget that in combat, web gear was one of those things that got cut down to usable items only by guys in the line.the haversack was one of the most useless items out there and was universally disliked by nearly all of the Army WW2 vets i've talked with. many guys went with a minimum of gear when in actual combat.so if they work for you ...use 'em..
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