Riding Breeches

This was purchased from Berry Smith; a riding breeches (stiefehose & reithose) sold as WWII item, it was returned to seller as I had no idea a good reithise should made of gabardine, I thought it should be in field-gray not grey, and suspected it was a BW item, lots of lost on postage, bank charges and exchange rate.

Until now I am still have no idea its an original item or not.

Next to it was a BW tunic, Berry Smith sold it as original, but if it is available now I'll make it into a convert tunic.

Can't recalled where was this riding boots came from, should be a short loan from someone, but fit me and the breeches then, not now as I gain lots of weight.

Camo Face Mask

This was my hand made camo face mask, which took me around a month to weave, the expensive tan color string was bought from Japanese handcraft shop,  the canvas straps was from surplus shop, should be British Army stuff, the helmet loop had three springs saw inside the band, this pic show the mask was completed but still in tan color. 

(Sold with the lot)

This was sprayed by two color to form the camo pattern, I made two masks, I can't recalled this is another one or not,  one was gave to Bud, and he like it so much and want me to take order on it, but I was too lazy to make more, as it was boring to make even the second one.

But I'll make it again but fail to locate colored string, may be order some string for dyeing.

 This was one of the two photo as reference, but back to those old time, the only way to study was to made an enlarged photocopy for details.

(Photo: Andrew Mollo)

This photo showing the other side of the mask and the three pieces 

construction, which was the most important information I needed.

(Photo: Bruce Quarrie)

 My drawing of the construction before purchase the material, the final way to weave was to put rows of nails on the top and bottom on a board, then secure the vertical strings on it, the thinner string then weave between it horizontally. 

Photo: Almark Publication

After all these years when I am writing this blog, I found this tiny photo, both soldier are wearing the camo masks on top of their nude helmets, and it proofed my wild guess of the spring construction was correct, and gave more information for my next mask. Also technology made the tiny pic enlarged to next level.

Helmet covers

I recalled I had few helmet covers, the fabric was from two sources only, Waffen SS camo from Bud O'Toole and the WH material from local surplus shop, but most was drawstring, only the forest camo had the spring hooks installed, unlike today we can find any original and repro parts on the net, especially on ebay, I had no way to locate any parts back to 70s and 80s.  

This was the hooks set from Bud, which was the only set I had. Other SS covers was drawstring, but I forgot how many cover  had.

These fabric was from the local surplus shop, Splinter, Tan Water or even Italian came could be found locally.

(Photo: Andrew Mollo)

(Photo: Brain Davids)

This pic is from ebay, but Bud gave me an original set like this which was the first time I saw this system.

Original Third-Model Splinter FJ Smock

This was another study by Bud of a third model FJ smock, someone sent these photos to him, which was selling in a store for $550 (in 1980), this was the normal transferring images and description without the PC in 1980.  

(All photos: Bud O'Toole)

(Photos: Brain L. Davids)

Thirty years later, someone discussing the third model FJ smock and suspecting that it is a Bod O'Toole's product. What an achievement of his product, you just can't avoid it.

Hoping that I could buy back a Bud O'Toole product again.

http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showthread.php?t=337170&highlight=bud+o%27toole

Original Splinter LW Ground Combat Smock

This is Bud O'Toole's original Splinter LW Ground Combat Smock from loan for taking pattern, the hand writing on the photos are self explained, when reading these descriptions again on 30 years later, I am still admiring Bud's attention to fine details, and reflected that his product was the best then as well as today may explained why on the market treat as original. 

(All photos: Bud O'Toole)

(Photos: Brain L. Davids)

Repro Splinter Assault Gun Wrap

This is Bud's product, I am not too keen on the Panzer Wrap, just keep this photos for record, when watching it today, the material looks like original  to me.

Unknown Period Hood

The was an interesting item and a long story behind it; Back to end 70s I meet an elderly American couple in their early 60s in my shop, they was tourist visiting here first time, and the silver hair gentleman was a WWII veteran, I can't recalled his full name and unable to find his address wrote down on my note book, so just call him John in the moment. But this strange rubberized hood was given by him on his second HK tour on next year, and told me that he pick it up by himself in Berlin on 1945, when he was a War correspondent under 'The Stars and Strips'. 

I saw this hood again posted on a forum around months ago but lost the bookmark, the owner also knowing nothing about it and no one gave him any firm advice. May be a civilian hood.  Will post it here whenever found the post.

(sold with the lot)

    

The Stars and Strips newspaper for American G.I. 

War correspondent of WWII, John should look like this when he was in Berlin, as most of the veteran they only remember the best moment, all his stories was his happy moment,  apart from his camera John was armed with a M1 cabin and drove a jeep running around in Germany, along the routs he pick up dozens of dissembled  P08 Luger pistols, all into two parts by removed the square trigger side plates, he put all Luger he could found in his spare backpack behind his driver seat of the Jeep. One day they entered a deserted factory and found an unopened box on the huge empty shelf, when  he opened it by his bayonet, it was just too good to be true; a whole box of P08  Trigger side plates, he assembled all the Luger and gave it to anyone G.I. in his unit, and he kept only one for himself.

                                          Trigger side plate.


Another interesting story he told was when he entered the Leica Camera factory, found only two German civilian in there, he gave them two rolls of 10 packs Lucky Strike, in return they assembled two brand new Leica IIIc by the stock parts. (should be in late war white packing, not green I think.)

He had a large German flag cut down for table cloth, if he is still alive today, he must be crazy when he knew the price of these treasure goodies.  Just wish John and his wife rest in peace and he was already enjoyed an exciting life. God blessed all Veterans no matter in any uniform they wore.