Just to get in the spirit of the new British and Commonwealth forum I thought I'd post a few of my WW2 armoured items, starting with the black armoured beret and badge. Enjoy.
-Lee
-Lee
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Coloured Royal Armoured Corps cap dated 1940. -
Winter overalls ("pixie suit") dated 1945.Comment
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And IV Hussars officer's sidecap.Comment
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Nice items Lee!
I especially like the beret.
Well done from Jack.Comment
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Hi Lee, you have some good items there
Here is a mint unissued RTR beret from my collection. A load of these hit the market about ten or twelve years ago. All original. They sold for £8 each. Some fakers got hold of these and converted many of them to Red Berets with the addition of a new outer woolen cover.
Always pays to study any "Red beret" today as many are from this batch of RTR berets.
Cheers, Ade.Last edited by Adrian Stevenson; 07-11-2005, 04:23 PM.Comment
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Here is my RTR BD from the 79th Armoured Div. I have this soldiers 1937 pattern BD trousers too. I have his service number but no name.
Cheers, Ade.Last edited by Adrian Stevenson; 07-11-2005, 04:12 PM.Comment
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Adrian, I absolutely love that tunic! I was looking at a Canadian cavalry tunic to go with my 'pixie suit' on Ebay (another thread you are involved with), but the bidding just got out of control. It was nothing as cool as your RTR shown here, though. Where did you get such an item?Originally posted by Adrian StevensonComment
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Hi Lee, glad you like the BD. I bought it and the 1937 patttern BD trousers locally from a friend in Nottingham. I bought it around 1989. I was originally looking for a BD to wear with my 1942 Jeep, which I had just found out was ex British Army. At that point I had not found out it was ex British Airborne .
My friend found this one as he used to do house clearances, etc. I liked it very much as it was untouched. Not good to wear of course, as it had the ribbons stitched on. But I decided to buy it anyway. It was still on an old wooden coat hanger named to a Nottingham tailors shop. I think I paid about £70 for it, complete with trousers? Which was a good deal even then.
The blouse has seen lots of wear and the cuff lining is really worn thin. The blouse has been tailored for a better fit, which was common. Note the two diagonal pleats over the breast pockets to take the chest in.
The trousers (which are rare as they are "AV" marked as they have been Anti - gas treated) have the soldiers serial number stitched in place in red cotton. I wish I could trace this man's identity.
Cheers, Ade.Comment
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[Not good to wear of course, as it had the ribbons stitched on. But I decided to buy it anyway. .[/QUOTE]
No (ECHO,O,O,O,O,O.o.o.o) - "not good to wear"? Surely the criteria here is "collecting", & re-enactment takes second place? However, as a non re-enactor who's got a few campaign ribbons "for just being there" I don't see the problem with wearing a battledress with medal ribbons. I'd rather love it & stroke it & take it to the bathroom for long intimate whispering sweet nothings (damn those UV lamps, take the enjoyment out of everything nowadays), but if your interest is living history then the medal ribbons should'nt interfere with that activity. As long as you re-enact post ribbon wearing period I s'pose. Personally I'd recommend telling it that you love it etc - & not wearing it?
Forgot to mention - it's a very nice Funnies, interesting to see an original - how close together certain insignia are for example.Last edited by leigh kitchen; 03-25-2004, 08:45 AM.Comment
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Hi Leigh, thanks your for comments. This is really is living history forum topic but it is interesting one. There has been a fundamental change in attitude by re-enactors over the years. Back when I bought this BD, everyone wore original WW2 kit. Anyone with something not original would have been laughed at! Exact repro kit was un-heard of and just did not exist. But the wearing of medal ribbons that you are not entitled to was and still is a big no-no
Plus it is illegal.
Glad you like the BD. It is a favourite of mine. I agree with you about the insignia. I have taken some extra pics for you. But no printing them off and taking them to the bathroom
I can do laminate photos for a fee
Cheers, Ade.Last edited by Adrian Stevenson; 07-11-2005, 04:15 PM.Comment
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Ribbon bar. Also shown here are the tailoring tucks to the chest.Last edited by Adrian Stevenson; 07-11-2005, 04:17 PM.Comment
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