My Collection- United States Marine Corps

[gi-rene]

Originally Posted by cyberia

I have heard this before about the German boots. In fact, your Dad and I discussed this once.

Now, this not a joke but historical fact. To compensate for tight fits, the soldaten would urinate on their boots while wearing them, and frequently. This quickly softened the leather and they would form fit to the foot.

My uncle Kurt swore this worked and worked well. He told me so when I was about ten. Mutti never forgave him, because I tried it on my new Keds sneakers.

Nope my dad said thats what he did to stretch out boondockers, peed on them and then put them in a tub of water... then wore them dry...

[gi-rene]

These are the Marine leggings, they have brass hardware, and are slightly different in their sizing (I wear 3R Army, yet 5R Navy/Marines), as well as their height (slightly shorter) and the laces are much thicker.

As you can tell they are also laced differently then the Army ones. Reproduction from World War Two Impressions...

[vitara]

Originally Posted by gi-rene

782 Gear of the World War II Gyrene

That site does a much better job explaining the M1941 pack.

But my thoughts. Its ingeniously designed compared to the Army haversack. Yeah more straps and crud to deal with but it can carry more and you can easily drop the knapsack (bottom pack) and go with just the haversack as an "assault pack". The carrier has shorter hooks and no US unlike the army version (though I recycle my T-handle) The poncho is attached short wise since I realized I didn't get equipment straps to strap it long style to the pack (with the shelterhalf and bed roll). The pack and straps and etool carrier are all At the Front Repros.

wow i really like your webbing set up looks really fine great stuff
cheers krieg

[gi-rene]

This was given to me by another reenactor. Its an original Marine summer uniform garrison cap.

[gi-rene]

This is my aviator helmet, goggles, and headset (non-functioning), the cord for the headset is not pictured. This was an early war Naval Aviator flight helmet reproduction. The AN-6530 goggles were used from about 1943 forward. The TH-37 headset was the standard for the Navy.


Stretched around my German helmet to have it hold a shape.

[gi-rene]

This is a reproduction of the Mk1 Life Vest used by the Navy. Mae West was the title applied to pretty much all of these styled designs.



Manufacturer's marks made to the same as the historical specs but the Repro company's name marks this as a non-original:


CO2 Cartridge pull tab:


Sorry for the odd image, something happened, the blow tubes:

[gi-rene]

This is another reproduction of the early Summer flight suit used into 1943. Many features which will be discussed as we move along. Sorry for the wrinkles I washed it and balled it up into the officer's foot locker, it holds wrinkles very easy. I also have the leather patch which needs sewn on. I picked that up for a aviation clothing supply company.



Hip pocket zippers to get to your pants pockets, Both Marine and Naval aviators would wear their khaki uniforms underneath these. Marines had a habit of wearing their utility trousers under these as well, as well as their boondockers or other boots.


Manufacturer's label, again to spec, other than the company name:


This is a hidden pocket on the inside left of the suit, this has the Repro company's label on it.


A leg with the zipper and snap closed and pocket closed, you can realistically slide into these like coveralls wearing boots and all:


The above zipped up and opened: