Reenacting

[FestungSpanien]

Hi mates,
I would like to know how can uniforms be artificially aged to add more authenticity to reenactings.
Regards
Asier

[Para82nd]

Go wrestle with your dog in the backyard with it on. Hehe


I'd say just wear it around the house and when you do reanact in it, leave the dirt on to make it look more battle worn.
Regards, Will

[Scott H]

Remember, your portraying a German Soldat in 1939-1945. Not a German Soldat 60 years after the war is long over. Their equipment was new back when it was issued to them, not 60 years old.

[reidmuller]

Remember, your portraying a German Soldat in 1939-1945. Not a German Soldat 60 years after the war is long over. Their equipment was new back when it was issued to them, not 60 years old.

As scott said you are a new recrut thats how i started now a year later it looks like im an alt mann with repairs, stains and such from rolling in mud through rivers up trees sleeping in barns on straw the lot and it will get a worn look.
So start as a new man and it will come naturally

[Scott H]

Also, when you do a barracks impression or something where you are wanting to look sharp, you will need polished boots and a neat uniform. A friend of mine served in the 10th SS Frundsburg Division during the war and he has been such a wealth of knowledge to me into learning about the German military during WW II. And as with ANY army, he told me, when he was on leave or when he was in southern France prior to D-Day, he had to maintain a neat and orderly uniform at all times. Myself, I get as dirty as anything during a battle, but when I get home, my uniform goes right to the cleaners and my boots get cleaned and polished and my field gear gets a good cleaning. Thats how it was for me when I served in the US Army in Germany back in the 70's.

[FestungSpanien]

Hi again
Thanks for all your experiencies and knowledge, but my LSSAH M40 uniform looks too new.I've been reenacting for long ago, and my impressions are those of an "Alter Kampfer" in the field.I have done nearly everything with my uniform, except playing with my dog ( thanks Para82nd , I really had a very good time reading your post.....By the way , I also collect Nam era uniforms,equipment and reenacting ).But the cloth is too strong.I have seen people wearing repro uniforms that looked very old, just the same as my original ones, and I would like to be able to reach that degree of cloth wasting in my uniform, but of course, as you all wisely state, with another degree of veritability.That salty look uniform can be approached with some artificial methods, that are also used by fakers.I would like to know is anybody knows those methods, thus we will also be able to know fakers' methods and prevent buying repro uniforms for originals.
Thanks for your help.
Asier

[Viktor]

Also, when you do a barracks impression or something where you are wanting to look sharp, you will need polished boots and a neat uniform. A friend of mine served in the 10th SS Frundsburg Division during the war and he has been such a wealth of knowledge to me into learning about the German military during WW II. And as with ANY army, he told me, when he was on leave or when he was in southern France prior to D-Day, he had to maintain a neat and orderly uniform at all times. Myself, I get as dirty as anything during a battle, but when I get home, my uniform goes right to the cleaners and my boots get cleaned and polished and my field gear gets a good cleaning. Thats how it was for me when I served in the US Army in Germany back in the 70's.

Here! , Here! you treat the stuff as if you live in it, then it ages and shapes to you body shape , you wear a uniform , it doesn't wear you! .

[Para82nd]

Hi again
I have done nearly everything with my uniform, except playing with my dog ( thanks Para82nd , I really had a very good time reading your post.....By the way , I also collect Nam era uniforms,equipment and reenacting ).
Asier

Hehe, I'm glad i helped in some way!

What feild do u collect? Eny particular unit?

[Rikster]

Re-enactors!
I have no desire to be one, but if some people do thats fine with me, no worries.
BUT I have to giggle when I see some of the ENORMOUS re-enactor guys, they spend so much time getting the smallest detail right, then roll up weighing twice as much as any Infantryman could ever weigh!!
Sorry folks it just makes me laugh, I've lugged 100lb of kit on my back and there is no way I could have done it if I weighed as much as some (please note I said "some" not all) re-enactors. I hope Joe public doesn't get the wrong impression!!
cheers, Rik

[Para82nd]

its tru, when FJs weigh 367 pounds, something isn't right....

[Mike Davis]

So true about the enormous weight of many reenactors. And then there is the hair! This was the case even twenty+ years ago when I thought about participating. What I'd like to see is a unit made up of guys weighing about 145lbs and 5 feet 8 inches tall, with no concessions made to modern hairstyles.

[Para82nd]

i hate seeing really long sode burns and shaggy hair, most were clean cut, comed over otr back hair styles

[Craigob]

Time to roll out this old chestnut I present Mullet Nazi!!

[Rikster]

Now that is a TRULY BEAUTIFUL picture, how much does that make you cringe?

Cheers, Rik

Time to roll out this old chestnut I present Mullet Nazi!!

[Adrian Stevenson]

Rik, I am cringing now believe me


I have been re-enacting since 1977 and I think I have seen it all, over weight, long hair, women dressed as men, you name it, but in all that time the good have far out numbered the bad.

Going back to Asier's original question, I follow Scott's methods. Like Comrade Viktor says you cannot beat correct use.

But to add "age and use" there are a number of things that can be done if you really want to, say if you only attend a couple of events a year. All of these methods are known to fakers, so I am not giving them ideas:

Shave the material so the "nap" of wool looks worn; edges of cuffs, collar, elbows. etc. "Fuller's Earth" can be used to add "dirt"; this is used by the film industry. Wash the item several times to help fade it or leave it out in the sun. Use cold tea to add age to insignia.

Cheers, Ade.