For the Bundeswehr lover in all of us...

[Gordon Craig]

Gentlemen,

Thank you all for your response. Makes good sense to me. Always interesting to have something a little different from an everyday item.

Regards,

Gordon

[Uncle Kurt]

Mark,
It is perfekt!

[Klaus1989]

As someone else said earlier, I think we should request a Bundesrepublik Deutschland subforum. All other periods of modern Germany have their own (except Weimar Republik), including DDR and Kaiserreich and there seems to be sufficient interest in BRD. Would more organized than having it in one thread here.

Klaus

[Gordon Craig]

Klaus1989,

There has already been a request submitted to start a BDR Forum on the WAF. There was a thread started on the International forum asking people to indicate their interest in have such a thread. While we have had lots of visitors to the "Bundeswehr Lovers" thread we haven't had many people indicating their support for a BDR thread. If you haven't visited this thread yet and indicated that you would support a BDR Forum please do so soonest.
Another way of indicating interest in a BDR Forum would be to start separate threads instead of putting everything in this one place. The more threads dealing with the BDR that we have on the International Forum the more likely we are to get our own BDR Forum.

Cheers,

Gordon

[Guardian 5]

Two BW dress caps from the late sixties. The darker one has been wearer modified; I'm not sure why insignia is bronze and the other silver - junior enlisted, NCO distinction?

Hi,

This is veri simpel
Bronze= 1. Modell 1955-1961
Silver= 2. Modell 1961-?

1955-1951 (Sorry in German) Mützenabzeichen und Knöpfe sind Bronzfarbent.
1961-? umstellung auf Silberne Mützenabzeichen und Knöpfe.

Danke!

[Guardian 5]

Canvas Leggings with 1956 Battle Dress

Lats, but not least, the canvas and leather gaiters in wear, again in the Bundesluftwaffe, and the photo is dated 1970.
And thanks for the question. It caused me to take a closer look at foot wear in the BW.

Regards,

Gordon

Gents - Another view of the canvas leggings, this time worn with the 1956 pattern splinter camo battle dress.

Anyone know what that white onlong object is dangling from the greni's pocket?

Thanks - G5

[Guardian 5]

Picture

Picture referred to in previous post.

[Gordon Craig]

G5,

I blew up that part of the foto and it looks like a pair of plastic tags on a metal hook arrangement. These tunics have two brass D rings on them. One above each breast pocket. I suspect that these "tags" are clipped onto the D ring on the left side of the jacket. As to what the purpose of these "tags" are I do not have a clue.

Regards,

Gordon

[Guardian 5]

Thoughts on the D-Ring?

Gordon - Any thoughts on the purpose of the d-rings themselves (aside from hanging unidentified white tags)?

My vote is for flashlights or maybe smoke grenades.

Thanks - TJ

[Gordon Craig]

TJ,

I've pondered that question for years without coming up with any sort of an answer. I don't beleive I have seen any other picture, except the tag one, where they were ever used. The guys that wore the jackets probably did not know what they were supposed to be for.

Cheers,

Gordon

[Klaus1989]

Complete BW gasmask can set. I bought this for only $12! All straps intact and it came complete with green rubberized gasmask, unissued filter, spare lenses and spring to hold gasmask down. Number is written on bottom in blue pencil. I think these were used from late 1950s to mid 1960s





Markings on the spare lense case on inside lid.



Klaus

[Gene T]

TJ,

I've pondered that question for years without coming up with any sort of an answer. I don't beleive I have seen any other picture, except the tag one, where they were ever used. The guys that wore the jackets probably did not know what they were supposed to be for.

Cheers,

Gordon

The Swiss Kampfanzug 70, which evolved from trial models that came into existence in the mid 50's, was likely inspired (at least in part) by the contemporary German equivalent. Given that the rings on the Swiss jacket/smock are used to clip on a small backpack, would it be inconceivable that the rings on the BW model were designed for the same purpose? Granted this theory cannot be proven without some evidence that such a backpack existed, but perhaps the intent was there originally, even if it wasn't followed up on in practice for whatever reason?

Gene T

[Gordon Craig]

Gene T,

Do you have pictures that you could post of the Swiss back pack you refered to in wear? Preferably showing how it was attached to the D rings. I have trouble visualizing a back pack attached to D rings on the chest of the wearer. It is as good a theory as any other right now and the Swiss were heavily influenced after the war by German equipment, uniforms etc.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gene T]

Sorry Gordon, I just assumed that you had a set of these in your collection, as they have been widely available as surplus since the early 90's:

The coat


+

The pack


=

Potentially what the Germans had in mind originally


cheers,
Gene T

[Gordon Craig]

Gene T,

Thanks for the pics of the Swiss stuff. There was lots of helmet covers and rain capes for sale in my area but not much else. I'll have to add that to my Swiss collection and soon I hope although there is none of that stuff available here in Budapest.

Regards,

Gordon