|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Jun 12, 2021 14:39:56 GMT -5
I recently sold 5 actual M1928 haversacks that I have owned for decades and have loaned out at perhaps a dozen or more event. Mosf were in very nice shape and sold on assorted sites for anywhere from 79.00 to 149.00 plus shipping for an especially nice one. To replace them I have bought 3 different reproductions for as little as $40.00 shipped out of India and 2 different chinese suppliers for $48.00 to $67.00. I have fairly low expectations for the quality but its one more step I'm taking to manage my loaner gear and minimize lending out actual relics. If there are any worthwhile discoveries I'll share them. I will probably do the same with the half dozen mussette bags I have and Garand belts and Bar belts. Mh wife says if I suddenly keel over she's throwing everything out and I will sleep better knowing it was mostly reproductions.
|
|
|
|
Post by hardslack on Jun 12, 2021 17:27:06 GMT -5
For what it's worth, I bought a repro musette bag about 8 years ago and it's still going strong. I've used it pretty rough too, at University hauling books every day, and then my work bag and launch box for the last 4 years.
One of the shoulder straps stitching points has been loosening for the last few years. Some stitching around a button was fraying when I got it and some of the webbing frayed a bit but nothing that stops it from working. I think you'll be satisfied.
|
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Jun 12, 2021 19:46:43 GMT -5
Good to know about your mussette bag! The reality is I wont get much more for the real mussette bags vs the reproductions by the time I pay shipping. In my search for reproduction bags one of the companies that makes the mussette bags also offers what they call a reproduction 3 pocket WW2 rucksack. Its a fantasy item perhaps supposed to be a mountain ruck but not even close. What it mirrors quite nicely is an early vietnam war ARVN ruck which was modelled after the NVA two pocket ruck. It looks like it would represent an ARVN ruck quite nicely. At $35.95 shipped its kind of a steal. The ARVN ruck was larger than the NVA ruck, somewhat heavier canvas had 3 pockets rather than two and was essentially copied by us in OD Nylon with an x frame in our jungle ruck. The ARVN ruck was popular with SOG, Rangers and SEALs during the war as it was smaller than the typical GI issue ruck. Finding an actual ARVN ruck is pretty unusual and they command stupid money when they turn up. To compare I ordered one of these "WW2 rucksacks" and given that the ARVN ruck was somewhat flimsy (not nearly as cheezy as the NVA ruck). I expect this back pack will serve my NAM events quite well and I'll end up ordering more of them? Currently I issue out US Nylon rucks that are frankly too modern for those with a sharp eye.
|
|
|
|
Post by hardslack on Jun 15, 2021 12:30:16 GMT -5
After I bought mine I notices the same thing on repro VS original musette prices.
I have 2 of the rothco "canvas mini alice" packs that are pretty close (unless you are a nazi, as usual) to CIDG rucks. I use it for trips and it's been fine, nowhere near the use I've put the musette through, but they are as good as any consumer level bookbag or whatever. I poked around ebay and saw one with ties which may be the one you are reffering to. Anyway, sounds cool.
I've missed the VNairsoft forum. It would be nice if we could get a section on this forum for that kind of thing, the vn forum had a rocky many years before disappearing, while this one seems to be pretty stable.
|
|
|
|
Post by volkssturm on Jun 15, 2021 12:40:38 GMT -5
I've missed the VNairsoft forum. It would be nice if we could get a section on this forum for that kind of thing, the vn forum had a rocky many years before disappearing, while this one seems to be pretty stable. It's certainly worth discussing. It's outside the nominal focus of this forum, but if no one strenuously objects, why not? We have a section for pre-WWII. Maybe a section for Post-WWII. There's not just Vietnam but the African Bush Wars, Korea, Malaya, the Middle-East. |
|
shiftysgarand
Corporal
BangbangbangbangbangbangbangbangPING
Posts: 1,165 
|
Post by shiftysgarand on Jun 16, 2021 19:45:34 GMT -5
I would certainly be on board. I think historical airsoft in general needs a home away from Facebook or Reddit, and this board is by far the most active one, at least in the US. The Vietnam board is gone, the Korea board has all of 4 members IIRC, and the other conflicts might be lucky to have one person each with an impression for them.
|
|
|
|
Post by hardslack on Jun 17, 2021 11:25:22 GMT -5
"We have a section for pre-WWII. Maybe a section for Post-WWII. There's not just Vietnam but the African Bush Wars, Korea, Malaya, the Middle-East." This sounds like a pretty good solution that wouldn't upset the format or focus of the forum too greatly. "I would certainly be on board. I think historical airsoft in general needs a home away from Facebook or Reddit, and this board is by far the most active one, at least in the US. The Vietnam board is gone, the Korea board has all of 4 members IIRC, and the other conflicts might be lucky to have one person each with an impression for them." Well put! I agree. |
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Jun 17, 2021 11:34:04 GMT -5
So perhaps a namsofting and other Post War thread? I know dozens of folks (including me) that do both.
|
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Jun 19, 2021 18:27:59 GMT -5
So I received all 3 haversacks within days of each other. The cheapest at $40.00 shipped from India was the last to arrive. The 2 Chinese bags arrived several days ago and though there was quite a bit of price difference ($49.93 vs $67.20) delivered after shipping and ebay charged taxes I am finding it hard to see much difference. The least expensive from India was noticeably cheaper with thinner canvas and more delicate straps. I would recommend you spend the extra for the Lower priced Chinese replica. Incidently all arrive with a note providing their direct web site whichoffers slightly lower prices than on Ebay and of course wont charge tax so you'll shave about $7.00 off each item. On the best of three bags (and the middle price). Their direct site is WW2field.com. A good selection of WW2 and Nam items. I noticed a pair of Chinese Army Reed Green sneakers that looked familiar and at $16.95 might have to be purchased? The ARVN (CIDG) canvas ruck also arrived and will suut my NAM needs very well. Its frankky pretty spot on and looks like a great utilitarian overall bag for $35.00.
|
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Jun 26, 2021 0:40:48 GMT -5
I put all three of these minty new bags out in the yard to soak up some weather and loose some of that minty newness. I'm curious do other folks do that sort of thing or just me? They definitely need a few rugged events to take on a more authentic look.
|
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Jul 2, 2021 22:55:41 GMT -5
After 3 days in exception heat and direct sunlight they all faded to what to my eyes is a more authentic tan shade. When new they all had a bit of a golden hue. I recently orderd 5 canteen covers from assorted suppliers each was about $15.00 delivered. Three were a very lighg OD and 2 were that golden khaki. The quality of all of them was quite high in my opinion. Canvas was as it should be, snaps were robust and all had the wool thermal inner liner. I am very happy with them. I will put the golden hued ones out in the sun for few days.
|
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Jul 5, 2021 0:57:27 GMT -5
WW2 era canteen covers were a very popular web gear item for LRRPs in Vietnam and whenever available replaced the M56 canvas pouches as you could fit more magazines in them and they were easier pull out or put back in. I had 4, M56 pouches on my web gear (2 more than issued) but replaced them with 6 WW2 era canteen covers when I was able to do so. We had a fellow in our units who's family owned an Army Surplus store in Idaho and he got WW2 BAR belts, (also popular). leggings canteen covers and patrol caps that we otherwise wouldnt have had. Khaki items weren't great camouflage so they were spray painted or coated with the camo grease paint that we had. Incidently little known fact. The grease paint contained insect repellant.
|
|
|
|
Post by hardslack on Jul 6, 2021 10:03:13 GMT -5
Were WW2 canteen covers preferred over M1956 canteen covers?
If so, why?
|
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Jul 6, 2021 18:05:01 GMT -5
The Alice clips held the canteen covers higher and more snugly against the web belt while the WW2 hooks tended to flop around more. Either way we used electrician or OD tape to secure things better and reduce noise. Essentially while there may have been personal preference you pretty much used what you could get.
|
|
|
|
Post by 2ndbat2 on Sept 2, 2021 22:04:56 GMT -5
After deliberate weathering all of these reproduction canvas items look quite good IMO. Although side by side for the same duration each faded somewhat differently which also adds to the effect. I left them out in the yard for 6 days. Rained on once in that time. I am going to spray the haversacks with waterproofing which should stiffen them a bit and rub some soil in them and at that they should look quite good. I have also bought several Garand belts and a BAR belt To replace actual belts I recently sold which brought crazy money. The net result is I am in the plus co!umn in both dollars and volume of inventory and have loaner gear I will be far less concerned about.
I have some WW2 steel pots that should find a more appropriate home. I have a dozen plastic costume helmets that I did up with convincing paint jobs, netting and insignia which suit my needs just fine. In pictures and from 2 feet away they look just fine.
|
|
