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Post by mastermike95 on Oct 4, 2014 4:11:52 GMT -5
Last weekend my m1942 jump pants (unreinforced) ripped at the knees and the left trouser pocket ripped open from carrying too many ICS M1 clips. Before everyone tells me to just buy a reinforced m42 jumpsuit, I prefer wearing the unreinforced m42 because I like portraying the 82nd and 509thPIB in Italy. Airborne units pre normandy or Operation dragoon wore the unreinforced m42 jumpsuit. Since it wasn't reinforced, they were known for ripping at the crotch, knees, and the trouser pockets. Ive heard of paratroopers modifying their jumpsuits by reinforcing it with any material they could get there hands on. Can anyone give me ideas on how to strengthen my m42 jumpsuit? I found a couple pics, im just not sure what to do yet.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Oct 4, 2014 14:00:30 GMT -5
Literally using any approach that would have been available at the time and you could do yourself or have done locally would be credible and appropriate. In museums I have seen lots of assorted period produced repairs to actual uniforms and they are literally all over the map. Just using a sewing repair kit and adding in some material that might have been around would work great. There was a removable hood for the M41 that was seldom used that would make great patch material. Leather patches were also widely used. I like the nylon strapping that appears to have been from jump rigging.
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Post by insterburger on Oct 6, 2014 17:48:15 GMT -5
What 2nd Bat said. Also don't rule out pieces of HBT fabric, I expect there were Red Cross bags or well-used fatigues that would have been considered expendable. Or tent canvas. Or, as stated, anything that could have conceivably been found in-theatre.
If you have an old, used up, or otherwise unservicable uniform or gear item, chop it up for the cause. Or perhaps find a well-worn item online or at a tag sale.
Another alternative would be to get one of ATF's scrap fabric bags for $10. They do both a US and German verison. I ordered one of German material last time I placed an order with them. While it had less than what I ideally wanted of what I ideally wanted (feldgrau wool), it had plenty of that plus LOTS of other fabrics, a truly staggering variety, and enough material to provide patches and such for myself and anyone else who might need it in my unit from here to eternity. I don't know what it would come to with shipping on its own, but as part of a larger order it was an absolute bargain, so keep that in mind.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Oct 6, 2014 19:21:30 GMT -5
A discovery I made and one no doubt actual GIs ran into as they attempted firsthand repairs is that unless you double over the fabric at the point of your stiches your fabrick will seperate either immediately or very quickly so always double your patch over along each edge. The static line sections used to reinforce the pockets are my favorite although it would be awkward if used to patch a tear at the knees. For those and the elbows I would think canvas scraps from a pup tent would be best. Early pup tent shelter half sections were open on one end so if you cut off one of the "tails" on a later pup tent shelter half You would still have an authentic shelter half.
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