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Post by captkurtlevan on Jul 23, 2014 12:24:09 GMT -5
Hello, I've been intrested in doing a German impression for awhile, and I expect that it will be a rather expensive impression. However, I'm not exactly sure where to start and I have some questions.
What retailers specialize in certain areas (Hats, Tunics, Fieldgear, etc.)?
What is the minimum amount of stuff to pull off a very basic impression?
Is there anywhere to get custom footwear? (I wear size 13's and most retailers don't carry sizes that high)
Thank you guys so much in advance, I know I'm asking for quite a lot and I can't wait to start giving back to the community.
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Post by mentosfreshmaker on Jul 23, 2014 13:50:49 GMT -5
The best way to start a German impression is to tie your bootlaces into little knotsies!
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Post by luftwelle93 on Jul 23, 2014 14:37:22 GMT -5
I'm going to buy my airsoft impression from Hiki shop.You can add plenty stuff in cart with a decent price and the quality is good from what I heard.Here's the basic stuff you need!
1.Helmet/feldmutze
2.Breadbag
3.Ammo pouches (depends what gun you're using)
4.Belt
5.Canteen
6.Mess kit
7.Y-strap
and of course uniform,service shirt,trousers,and boots
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stuka
Sergeant
The one and only
Posts: 1,205
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Post by stuka on Jul 23, 2014 15:13:45 GMT -5
It should be noted that you're going to want to get the expedited shipping or w/e if you want to receive your items in a timely manner
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Post by volkssturm on Jul 23, 2014 15:37:36 GMT -5
The best way to start a German impression is to tie your bootlaces into little knotsies! A curious little bit of trivia I ran across recently. In World War I German troops referred to their Austrian allies as "Comrade Shoelaces," because unlike the Germans with their jackboots, the Austrians wore lace up boots. Anyway, with your shoe size problem the best bet, at least initially to get going, is to get a pair of gemaschen (leggings) and then try to find a civilian boot that can pass for a German low boot. |
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Post by insterburger on Jul 23, 2014 16:04:29 GMT -5
I would shop around a bit, Hikishop is not necessarily your best bet, unless you want your stuff "now" (meaning in six weeks). Just this weekend, IMA was running a special: $75 for M43 trousers and tunic. Cheaper than Hiki and here in a week. Some of the other vendors-- ATF, Hessen, Kelley's, MTL, etc.-- often run specials on specific things, and you might do better than ordering from China.
There's the old saying in construction that applies to so many other things: Quick, cheap, and good. You can have any two you want, but you'll have to give up the third (i.e. you can have it good and cheap but it won't be quick, or good and quick but it won't be cheap, or cheap and quick but it won't be good). Still, with a bit of poking around at different vendors you can put together an excellent German impression without breaking the bank.
A super-basic kit in my view would be similar to Luftwelle's but you could even cut out a few items:
Tunic (w/insignia)
Pants
Jackboots or low boots with Gamaschen
Belt/Buckle
Y-Straps
Bread Bag
Ammo Pouches (weapon specific)
M43 Cap
Weapon
You could do a lot more, but that would be, in my eyes, the bare bones of a good-looking, fieldable impression. Some notes on each item:
Tunic: M36, M40, M43, all are fine. If you have the time Hiki is a safe bet, but look around at some other vendors and see what you see. As for insignia, these are readily available from lots of places. Phil's Militaria usually does good prices, as does Traders of the Lost Surplus, but this is another place to shop around.
Pants: Same deal as the tunic. Shop around or go for the Chinese vendors. You can also find or convert post-war pants: Some Swedish wool pants look VERY much like M43's, but for $20-$30 any time. Also, Jerry-ADK has had luck removing cargo pockets from later-issue pants. Also, the Swiss wool pants are a tinge too green and will need to have the black piping removed, but if you have basic sewing skills you can get these for under $20. For my first few games I used these, and no one said anything about them (except "great impression").
Boots: East German jackboots are fine with everyone but stitch-Nazis, and still can be found in larger sizes at non-crazy prices. Otherwise just get brown suede ankle boots and get a pair of post-war Gamaschen, which are not hard to find for around $15 (or less).
Belt/Buckle: The Chinese do well here too, but look at Man the Line's Ebay auctions for the belt or try Mountain State Supply-- both good vendors and cheap. IMA has decent belt buckles at $11, I repaint them Feldgrau and they look just fine. Won't do too much better than that.
Y-straps: Use post-war Austrian. They are close enough in design, are WAY better built and more durable than all but the highest-end repros that will set you back over $100, and if you've paid $25 for a pair, you've paid too much.
Bread Bag: The East German ones used to be cheap and plentiful, but are drying up. They can still be found at a decent price, look at Hessen. Otherwise repros can be found cheaply if you're patient.
M43 Cap: CHeaper than a helmet and appropriate for combat. Pretty much the same as uniforms, Hiki will work but deals can be found. Look in the MTL used area, for one.
Weapon/Pouches: I would go with the MP44 (StG44) as a starter weapon. It's much better quality than the low-end MP40 on the market, and more versatile: You can go full auto with excellent accuracy and respectable FPS. But for games with bolt/semi tactical rules (definitely where this hobby is going) you still have an effective and historically accurate semi-auto weapon (MP40's were full auto, all the time). If you watch Ebay or Airsoftmegastore CPO, you can sometimes get a deal on a used one... I just picked one up on Ebay with a missing muzzle nut and no mag, $75 shipped. The mag set me back another $17. MP44 mag pouches are available at Kelley's for under $25 a set.
If you want to add a canteen and mess kit, you can do that on the cheap, too.
Uncle Sam's surplus has their "European Mess Kit" which is very close to the M31, usually on sale for under $10.
Canteens are usually expensive, but with a little looking you can sometimes find deals. If you're lucky enough to piece together the things you need to do it, you can also convert a Czech or Swedish canteen for under $30 all in.
Good luck putting together your impression!
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Post by aldrich on Jul 23, 2014 18:16:58 GMT -5
Here is a good reference on the German uniform in 1943. It was originally posted for a blankfire reenactment set on the Italian front, but it is good for all fronts of the war. (Though unless you are doing an Italian front impression, I would leave the helmet color generic grey.) Insterburger has given some good advice on how to get a uniform on a budget. My advice to you is to find what looks the best, then look at what you found for the best prices. Patience is key and original pictures are your friend. Using these will make sure that you can get an impression that not only looks great, but also one that you are satisfied and proud of. Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=END56oCns9s |
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Post by ssgjoe on Jul 23, 2014 22:51:01 GMT -5
I personally think a canteen is very important piece. You can get Chinese repros for about $30-40 on eBay. Their covers are not the greatest, but they work.
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Post by captkurtlevan on Jul 24, 2014 11:05:28 GMT -5
Thank you so much guys. I already have my weapon (PPS K98, and a MP40). Is there a good place to get HBT's? I live in Oklahoma, and it doesn't get very cold at all.
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Post by luftwelle93 on Jul 24, 2014 11:14:34 GMT -5
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Post by captkurtlevan on Jul 24, 2014 12:25:08 GMT -5
Thank you.
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Post by luftwelle93 on Jul 24, 2014 12:33:24 GMT -5
No problem,I don't blame you on getting HBT  |
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Post by volkssturm on Jul 24, 2014 14:16:49 GMT -5
How do you really start a German impression? Stock up on beer and bratwurst, then have a marathon session listening to Oktoberfest CD's.  (OK, sometimes I just have to be a smart ass). |
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Post by insterburger on Jul 24, 2014 15:10:09 GMT -5
How do you really start a German impression? Stock up on beer and bratwurst, then have a marathon session listening to Oktoberfest CD's. (OK, sometimes I just have to be a smart ass). That's actually how you start a Wisconsin National Guard impression.  |
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant 
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 24, 2014 19:15:48 GMT -5
For my German impression I start by pronouncing anything that starts with "TH" by saying ""Zee" Anything with a "W" becomes a "V" sound. instead of "No" say "Nine" and instead of "Yes" say "Ya Voll.". throw in a few words from war movies like Achtung, Roust, and Snell and you are well on your way to a good German Impression.
Good luck with it!
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Post by ssgjoe on Jul 25, 2014 13:08:44 GMT -5
In my honest opinion, even if it doesn't get very cold, I would suggest wool. It may get toasty, but it's more accurate. But HBTs work too. But don't get an HBT M36! They never existed!
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Post by volkssturm on Jul 25, 2014 13:27:07 GMT -5
SSGJOE is correct. The wool uniform is the one that's going to be accurate for most situations. HBT's would really have limited utility. And to get in the mood for wearing them, memorize the lyrics to the "Westerwald Lied," so you can sound correct while marching. www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFEwJOGI7Eg |
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Post by captkurtlevan on Jul 25, 2014 16:55:05 GMT -5
Ok, thank you for the information. Anybody have any German stuff they no longer want?
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Post by cblackthorne on Jul 28, 2014 9:05:32 GMT -5
Wool uniforms are always good to have. HBTs are more comfortable in warmer weather, that's for sure. If you are doing a late war impression HBTs are more common. If your unit/impression is based on the southern front (Italy and the Balkans) you can also use tropicals.
Regards,
Chris
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Post by ssgjoe on Jul 28, 2014 19:50:02 GMT -5
Do you mean HBTs were more common late war than early war, or in the late war, HBTs were more common than wool? I thought wool was more common the whole war.
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Post by cblackthorne on Jul 28, 2014 20:08:24 GMT -5
Do you mean HBTs were more common late war than early war, or in the late war, HBTs were more common than wool? I thought wool was more common the whole war. Im saying you would see HBTs more often late in the war but certainly not more than wools.  The further south you went, the more common they became. Sorry for the confusion. Regards, Chris |
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Post by ssgjoe on Jul 28, 2014 22:40:29 GMT -5
No problems. Just clearing up any miscommunication.
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(OK, sometimes I just have to be a smart ass). 
