My Collection- United States Army

[krieg]

not that long back i picked up a . 303.inch lewis machine gun . small arms
training guide .. 1940.. quight a nice little book
. best krieg

[gi-rene]

All right an update finally

This the M1C Paratrooper Helmet. This is much like my swivel bale M1. The M2 Paratrooper helmet had the welded fixed bales like earlier M1s. The bales were very different from the infantry version. These saw limited use but paratroopers did use them through D-day. They are a very sought after item like other fixed bales. This one has a 1/2" British helmet net and pieces of scrim (dyed burlap) put in to break up the shape of the helmet. Yes the spades and tick marks do mark out 2nd Battalion, 506th. The unit that invited us to do airborne has been doing 2nd Battalion, 506th since 1994. After we finish the invited event I'd like us to shift the alternate impression to a battalion in the 505th, 82d Airborne.

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A comparison of the M1 and M1C helmets. The shells are both the same, the only difference is the chinstraps. The airborne chinstrap has an extra length with a snap on it that snaps into the liner, its meant to hold the liner and helmet together during a jump.

First is an outward comparison, take the net and scrim off and they are the same other than finish and color.



Once again a standard M1 Liner:


Now the airborne liner, you will notice there are some differences:

1. There is a set of canvas straps "A-straps" that are attached at the suspension in the front and the nape straps in the back that are used in conjunction with the chincup to keep the liner on your head.

2. The snap for the helmet straps is visible (unsnapped) at the top and is snapped on the bottom. Obviously these had to have holes drilled for them then the snap is set in.


Both the liner and M1C helmet are original WW2 but we had to modify the liner for the airborne stuff so we used a repro set for the suspension, sweatband, chincup, and other hardware. Ironically the brown leather chinstrap (which both helmets share, its wrapping forward over the brim on both helmets) on my M1C is original. It shows its age too.

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Yes the famous Corcoran jump boots. I shined these puppies up, and its obvious they haven't seen use yet... They were used with leather or cotton laces. The re-enactor thing is to use the leather... maybe it was more common.

Regardless these are made by Corcoran which from what I understand is actually a dead company. But another has the name and uses it and its designs. But don't quote me on that. Regardless you can get these classic boots like me easily at a military store (mine was the Barre Army-Navy store from Vermont, best price at around 135 bucks with shipping IIRC) or even black ones or the newer Corcoran designs... maybe they still are in business for themselves I really don't know.

Very comfy boots. They have a distinctive toe cap and the thickest damn heel I've ever felt under my feet. They lace all the way up and have the steel shank in the arch to support you if you wanted to say... make a parachute landing.





Even WW2 Corcorans had this label:

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This isn't an airborne item, but something to accessorize with my .45 (pictures of that to come later). This is a M-1916 holster for the M1911 .45 pistol. This particular one is a repro from Pacific Canvas and Leather. I HIGHLY recommend them, they do great leather work and even do other nations and lots of eras for the US Military. This one was coated in olive oil as a protectant and it darkens the leather a bit. The leather thong at the bottom is used to tie it to your leg so it doesn't flop around too much. The back shows the mounting hooks as well as the slots so you can slide it onto your pistol belt vice using the hooks and grommets.

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Also from Pacific Canvas and Leather this is my canvas M1911 Magazine pouch. These differ from the M-1912 and 1918 pouches by having only a single lift the dot fastener vice two. This is only made to slide over your pistol belt. Inside is a snap for fastening it to your pistol belt which has teh opposite snap located at intervals along the centerline. I don't have a pistol belt, only a cartridge belt, thats one of my things to pick up later.

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My Garrison cap again, this time with the proper Distinctive Insignia (DI) attached. These were made at request from someone that our unit leader got into contact with to produce 442d DI's. We eventually scraped the money to buy a load of 133rd ones and an original and they copied them... flawlessly. They are very snappy and snazzy looking

133rd Infantry Regiment of the 34th Infantry Division. I have 3. So when I get a Class A coat I can add the other two to the lapels.

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The most useless piece of gear. This is the pack carrier for the M1928 haversack. Its made to attach to the bottom (remember the slots) and then bucle to the back somehow (I dunno) but you need a bedroll to do it... Something I don't have. maybe if I get the guts to try it one day I'll do it just to show what it looks like. These were discarded like the plague

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Yes I'm going into Airborne territory. Some guys from another unit we invited to come out to a PTO have invited us to come out as 101st with them (the aforementioned group). So we are gearing things up for that. I want to really do the 505th of the 82d so I'll probably pick up an 82d patch later. That way we could realistically do either/or

This is the M1942 jump suit. This one is considered "rigger modified" as you will see. The 82d wore unmodified jumpsuits into Sicily and Salerno but for D-day they (at least the 101) were to turn in at least one suit for modification. I will outline these as we hit the photos.

I will mention though. These things are comfy like pajamas, trousers and coat.

These are imported reproductions I bought from At the Front. They were on sale because he is clearing out his inventory so he can get a new generation of imports that have all the features that the real suits have. Mine lack the pen pockets inside the breast pockets and the 4 vent holes in each armpit.

Entire Suit:


Sleeve snaps:


The lower pockets have bellows that were usually reinforced with a piece of canvas:


Not a WW2 101st patch, Vietnam, but originals are hard to find of any division patch anymore. Mainly we look for ones that lack the modern iron on tack glue on the back. Yes I sewed it myself



Notice the extra material here?


Its the pocket for the M2 switchblade (don't have one) in case you need to cut your risers to cut unstuck from say... a tree:


Canvas reinforced elbows...

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My jump trousers. Same deal. You'll notice a fob pocket for a pocket watch, the designed cargo pockets and the buttons for suspenders. Also rigger modified.



The cargo pockets were rigger modified by reinforcing the pocket bellows, and by adding extra material on the inside of the leg so you can tie the top of your bulging pockets shut so they won't come open during a jump. Sadly my pockets aren't bulging to show you how well they work...


Reinforced Pocket:


Reinforced Knees:


The trouser legs taper to facilitate blousing them into your boots.