Hoss

Depends, As a rule I prefer not to use anything unless I have no choice. I bought a W1 belt that was so hard and dry/ misshapen, untouched since the war it probably would have snapped like wood. So I filled the sink with hot water added a little dish detergent and let it soak. Now pliable I laid it out flat when dry I gave it Ballistol, its the best natural product on the planet always has been I'd forgotten until a few years ago when a German gent mentioned it again. I even took a diluted measure into work and used it as 'white water' for machining work instead of the mixed up muck provided, car around the home weapons, its wonderful and bio as well. 1904 developed Dr. Helmet Klever adopted by the Army 1905-45 they found the product so versatile even used by medics on wounds. Depends on pre-condition but generally doesn't darken leather either, the belt was in poor shape but thankfully not badly cracked. Cheers Eric

Worthy of a discussion. opinions Gents? Eric

Better pictures of the bag Chip was talking about in another thread. I bought because of the early stamps and thought it being something a soldier may suspend around his neck, I'm sure I've seen original pictures somewhere. Maybe I'm mistaken, is it a salzbeutel or something for personal paperwork? The salt ration bag I always assumed was a simple round piece of cloth tied with a short length of hemp cord, a disposable effect that's why they are so scarce. Opinions? Cheers

Small sewing kit I recently acquired and extra buttons I've managed to pick up in me travels. regards

Hello Both UV testing is part of what I do for a living. Its a balance the darker the natural light source the more severe. May a suggest a more moderate light ie. the corner of a room try and think of your item as the light source not the UV tool. You may want to observe what you'd expect with a brighter natural light reflected back. If you see this none red 'orange' in a moderate light its probably not original BUT you may have to study period dyes/textiles to be certain 100% imo. That being said I know nothing about period medals just some on material. regards Eric

Swiss 250rd mg11 steel belt from my collection not to be confused with schwarzlose. Eric

I'll have to get back to this later its a lot of work, blimey move ya bottom and weigh those plates how about a bit of colleague to colleague here. Eric

Hello I believe he's talking of Imperial German colour 1908-22 in which case 6003 is incorrect if its for a helmet base colour its 100% wrong. Regards

Show what original photos? Eric

Nice Jock I had a pre W1 pr of US field phones once that still worked when I added modern batteries! unfortunately I left them hooked up in our re-enactment bunkers and mice got in and ate the wiring, we use W2 German phones at W1 gigs,,,, cool items. Eric

I just saw this interesting Chris let me ask you isn't ral 6003 'achromatic' ? therefore has no defined hue its basically whatever you want it to be. To restore something you'd have to use a combo of colours? sample below. Cheers

Well steps back in amazement I found out Mr Wilson amassed one of the world's largest collection of military headgear. I found some early images of troops wearing a more pronounced rim that aren't traditional 'square dip', and already knew very early Quist's have a sharp flare. I don't know where to go from here thanks for the help. Eric

Yes '12 a bucket full showed up and everyone and his aunt went ape, meanwhile the dealers were checking out beach house prices in Malibu. Sorry they were grotesque dimension off and made from the wrong material. Unfortunately two authorities on these pieces are no longer with us. I can't speak for what was happening in the rest of Europe but first replicas started showing in England around 1968-71 following 'regalia' publications. It was part of those wonderful yet dying days of when a low cost replica was considered cool and authentic items sorted separate, and we rarely uttered the word 'fake'. P.F. try contacting member Robin on the history of them for who was allowed and who wasn't allowed to wear its a complex subject 'SS',,,, can take a lifetime to study in detail. imo. I don't think they were worn generally on the 'mess-jackets' its a different garment altogether and I hate the word tuxedo its too broad a term. Interesting subject. Cheers

I believe its just called Totenkopf-Brustabzeichen in official documentation originals are as rare as duck decoy droppings. Eric

Reproductions were made in the 1970's even from original material btw Joe the first two pictures don't show up. Eric

1930's feed blocks the lower one pictured (08) used to be in my collection (Goldsmith 'The Devils Paintbrush'), note the cloth/steel toggle switch. Generally the block slide pawl belt 'lift finger' was dropped in the TR period. The maxim 08 was of course not designed to run steel belts which would result in unreliability and breakages later. Eric

Charles A mauser m1910 would look good on your mannequin together with a haube.....otherwise steel helmet, bayonet and a luger imo. may I say the soldier is crying for a pickelhaube for me it would look better. Eric

another fake example showing the backing plate more clearly. Eric

Fake that was on one of my original greatcoats. Eric

well I think wash clean underwear normally what are they sitting in,,,a jacuzzi ? Eric

Nice photo Larry I found a ref. for the white line it maybe for an AA sighting aid similar on Swiss guns which ran along the top, answered my own question lol! Cheers, wish I'd collected photos Larry. Eric

Nice pictures why the white line on the receiver/water jacket,,,,for sighting optics? I wonder if it fluoresced. Eric

Delousing station Eric

Here you go Chris a 98/05 example, sorry I dont have one personally to show but I've had them 1912-15 dated. the extra rivet normally shouldn't be there above the slot. Cheers

Yes hans römer is one maker they have a pointed front. Eric