Uniform/Equipment Reviews

[Niederlander]

Gentlemen, 

With the proliferation of new uniform and equipment items from What Price Glory and other vendors, we need reviews from people who have purchased them.  I noticed on the GAF website that there is only ONE uniform review.  I, for one, would like to see that expanded so potential recruits could have one place they could go for that sort of information.  Perhaps we could incorporate it here, as well.  We have guys that have done a tremendous amount of research and I think it would be great if they could share it with others. 

What are your thoughts?

[Pitspitr]

Outstanding idea!

As The Brigade Quartermaster you would be in charge the project. I would recommend getting in touch with Col. Strong. I believe he was working on the same project at one time.

[Pitspitr]

When compiled this might be a good repository:

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,33884.0.html

[Jake C]

Speaking as someone who still needs to assemble his uniform, I'm very much excited about seeing how this goes. Best of luck!

[Tascosa Joe]

I believe the NCOWS Shootist Magazine would  be interested in articles covering this subject up to 1900.  The information would get out to about 1200 readers from New Zealand to Canada.

[Grenadier]

I am not an NCOW member but I would be happy to write a review on anything I have purchased from WPG...its a lot.

[Drydock]

My son got the British 1902 Khaki Drill tunic and shorts for a WW1 Western Desert Patrol outfit, excellent fit and quality IMHO.  Goes well with his SMLE and my Webley MK V.

[River City John]

I'll second the good report on the 1902 tunic. I changed out the buttons to gutta-percha plain buttons and dyed it a field brown for my Boer Scandinavian Korps impression.

Also from What Price Glory I can report excellent quality of their 1892 Cavalry bandolier, five front pouches and four rear mounted. Pockets actually fit paired 6.5mm Mauser clips and closed with a little wet molding and Lexall conditioning.
Likewise their 1902 Garrison belt, revolver belt pouch and flapped holster were great.

Tommy's Pack Fillers has nice selection of food tins, boxes, First Aid and similar accessories for your impression, 1899 - WWII.
http://www.tommyspackfillers.com

Liberty Tree Collectors gets in some obscure stuff to help round out an impression. Sometimes a bit careworn from storage, and pricey at times. but when you're looking for Swiss belt cartridge pouches for 6.5mm clips, . . .  They're getting stuff in all the time, so if you see something new jump on it quickly to get the best selection as far as condition.
https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/productcart/pc/ltc-default.asp


Finally, S & S Firearms is a good source for items, but I have to report that I've not been pleased with some of their leather reproductions. Storage must be a problem, either that or it's stuff coming from Pakistan or India. It has been dry rotted more often than not and straps and areas around snap downs have cracked. Hardware and the like I've had no problems.
http://www.ssfirearms.com/default.asp

RCJ

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

RCJ;  I have an 1888 Mauser that I always wanted, but what prompted me to acquire same was reading an article on the Scandinavian Korps from the 2d Anglo Boer War. The article claimed that the 1888 was the issue battle rifle of the corps. I tried to examine photo's but they are unclear on rifle ID. I did find this site that states 1888 Mauser; Alternatives would be a small ring mauser, Krag. or British pick-ups. (BTW, my 1888 was one of the rifles altered to use Mauser clips, 1913, I think.)

http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol145sb.html

Uniforms are poorly defined but I suspect that standard European workingmans clothes of the day, sack coat, vest and wool trousers would probably be normal. As wikipedia states that 1350 Scandinavian volunteers served in the Boer forces with only about 100 plus a field ambulance identified as "scandinavian" actual dress and equipment would vary considerably. I'd love to attend a GAF event as a member of this corps; Oh Well! Maybe someday.

[Tascosa Joe]

I am not an NCOW member but I would be happy to write a review on anything I have purchased from WPG...its a lot.

I will send you a PM.

[Niederlander]

Sir Charles, Uniform documentation can be fairly simple, especially for a unit like the one you're talking about.  If you have photographs of that unit and you look like the guys in the photographs, you should be just fine.  Document everything you can, especially to a specific unit.  (i.e.  Not just a generic Boer, try for a specific Kommando.)  We're always willing to work with you!

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

The link I posted, as well as the link below, have the official posed photograph for the Scandinavian Corps. The resolution is limited, but suggests working man's civvies. Some other photo's on google images show something more like Brit issue of the era, but these are mostly of officers. Accoutrements seem to vary, but that could be the result of lost kit being replaced by captured items.

Here is a link that gives a fuller account of the outpost battle agaist the Highland Brigade;

http://www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/boer-units/179-foreign-vols/1955-scandinavian-vols

P.S; I found some South African reenactors sites, and the photo's show a wide variety of uniforms, arms, and equipment. This is probably due to difficulties in locating items, especially arms, or even less than perfect impressions being adopted (Heaven Forbide!) Boer forces were a civilian militia and were unpaid. The Boer governments also had limited resources, and suffered from embargoes. During the later stage, of Guerilla warfare, civilian garb would have had obvious advantages.

[Niederlander]

If you Google Scandinavian Volunteers Boer War, there are more images.  (I can't figure out how to get them transferred here, or I would.)  There was an enlargement of the center of the picture you linked to.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Klik the dickens outta the centre of the photo and VOILA: ( get the address you want in the little strip at the top then 1. Ctrl "c" (copy!) 2. move the cursor to your new post and Ctrl "v" (viola!)

http://www.boerwararchive.com/photographs/2/9.html

[pony express]

Does anyone know if there is a reproduction of the bandoliers worn in the Scandinavian Corps pics? The ones with the bullets protruding from the bottom of the pouches? I have seen the same bandolier in Mexican Revolution pictures.

[smoke]

Since WPG has been mentioned here, how is the quality of their leather goods?  Is it consistent or are some products better than others?  I am looking at some of their Brit/Canadian WW1 and earlier stuff.

Thanks!

[Drydock]

We've got the 5 pouch bandolier that is really good. 

I would caution though:  Keep in mind that military gear is often designed to be mass produced quick and cheap.  Sometimes what we think is too cheaply done may very well be Milspec!  A correct field uniform may be sloppy and ill fitting, especialy if representing wartime manufacture.  I'm reminded of the 1884s issued to the 1st USV, of which some complained had been styled "with a hatchet!".

[Niederlander]

Since WPG has been mentioned here, how is the quality of their leather goods?  Is it consistent or are some products better than others?  I am looking at some of their Brit/Canadian WW1 and earlier stuff.

Thanks!

I've got some of their leather stuff, such as the British Sam Browne, P1903 Bandolier, Bayonet Frog, British Webley and 1911 Colt Holsters, etc., and it's quite nice.  I once had an original South Africa produced bandolier that was better quality, but WPG's stuff is probably as good or better than most of the originals were.  I believe Rattlesnake Jack uses their stuff, too.  I've been very pleased with the quality of items I've used.

[Niederlander]

Correction to the above post;  My bandolier was from another company.  It was good, too, but I can't remember who made it.  All my WPG stuff has been excellent.