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Post by labrador on Nov 3, 2010 19:36:43 GMT -5
After about 20 years of looking at SS reference books, i can confidently say that dot pattern caps and helmet covers; even if they did exist, were extremely rare. I know there are a few examples, apparently leon degrelle, the head of the legion wallonie was photographed wearing a dot pattern M43 cap, but that is the only instance i recall. I have yet to see a photo of even a field made dot pattern helmet cover.
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Post by Fusilier on Nov 3, 2010 19:41:38 GMT -5
Dot was ONLY officially made into tunics,trousers,parkas,and those very late War FJ smocks. If caps and helmet covers were made,it was made in the field. They were NEVER mass produced. I have NEVER seen one in a real period picture yet.
Its just too bad a lot of vendors make these items to sell to unsuspecting reenactors who don't do their research. ATF does their homework.
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Post by CharleyNovember on Nov 3, 2010 20:17:29 GMT -5
A lot of vendors sell them because people want them so they can match head to toe in thier favorite camo...lol
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gadge
Corporal
Posts: 1,199
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Post by gadge on Nov 5, 2010 4:50:57 GMT -5
The above is so true.
You have to remember that to the german army and ss camouflage was just camouflage.
Quartermasters didnt specify types like we do eg dot 44, planetree etc.
It would just be a 'tarnjacke' or 'smock camouflage mans hiding for the use of' in todays military parlance.
A unit would be formed and recieve an issue of whatever type was currently in production, as replacment soliders came in they would have different later models. If you had an early pattern smock and looked after it but lost your helmet cover a replacement was unlikely to arrive in the same pattern if it was a year or two later.
*not* matching makes you look far more the part. A freshly formed unit may well have all had matching kit (or just after a refit , say 12th ss in normandy but even they had a mix of italian kit) but a quickly formed kampfgruppe or a unit of veterans would be very disparate indeed.
The key is to get yourself out of a 'modern army' mentality where everything matches and *everything* is camouflaged or green.
In the 40s camouflage was incredibly rare, there was no real concept of camouflage 'uniformity' as it was really just meant to be worn as work wear. In many units smocks were issued out to assault units and the like and then returned back afterwards, there was no need for a smart ordely looking camouflage uniform as there is today as your parade and everyday dress would be your feldgrau.
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Post by Fusilier on Nov 5, 2010 10:06:44 GMT -5
You hit the nail on the head Gadge. Kids today grew up with all the modern armies wearing complete camo uniforms,so thats all they know. I see it is blank fire as well. Guys in head to toe SS camo of every sort. And it has to match!!
I blame the vendors for this. The make stuff that was NEVER made! And reenactors/airsofters buy their garbage!
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Post by mischief on Nov 6, 2010 22:55:20 GMT -5
And they will keep making it as long as people buy it.
As for the "dot 44" FJ Smocks, most of the FJ reenactor guys stay away from it like the plague. To rare for what most FJ's were doing by the time it came out. If you have to have dot 44's(as we call it cause saying the actual name for it sounds like I'm choking on a curry) then get a top or bottom and mix it with a different top or bottom. Either way do one thing.... wear them in the darn mud and get them torn and dirty!! Nice looking uniforms no matter who you buy them from(Barry,ATF,LB) look more(I hate this word) FARB. Dirt, grim and the funk of war will make any brand look better than a cleanly pressed dress parade uniform. Walking out you want to look good, but if your in the field and you refuse to hit the deck so you don't get your war gear dirty.... thats just silly. Call your hit and go sit down, and brush the dirt of your boots.
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