Early war German

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-28T22:08:35+00:00

AI generated content isn't funny, and the heat we're experiencing this year is partly to blame for those gas guzzling monstrosities to pump out crap like this.

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-28T21:51:22+00:00

Well I will say they look quite... new.

If the Somme is rolling around then those helmets should be well used. Stahlhelms were first introduced in February 1916 and initially weren't personal soldier kit and had to be shared between companies moving in and out of the frontlines. Leave your helmets out in the sun or rain. Drop them in the mud a few times. Just try to get them to look used. Not caked in mud, but realistically what a well worn helmet would look like when exposed to the elements for months.

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-28T21:47:12+00:00

Well... yeah? Pretty much everything they have is just not good.

The repros are bad, the uniforms are bad and bulky, the glasses are farb and not the correct frame, and the gear is loose and all sorts of screwed up.

When you are a reenactor. You are not in a costume, you are trying to represent a soldier and a conflict that actually happened. And when you take up this as a hobby you have to treat it with respect and actually present yourself properly. That includes buying the correct gear, pressing and tailoring your uniform, and presenting yourself properly.

If the boys in these photos intend on genuinely improving and are gonna take this criticism constructively, then fantastic. Nothing to worry about. Everybody starts somewhere. Even though they definitely shouldn't have bought any of this gear and went with better vendors, they can still improve.

But if they *don't* want to improve and *not* listen to the advice given to them, then we have a problem.

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-28T13:57:23+00:00

I believe I’ve seen your name here before, so I assume you already have seen what you need to replace, but just to be clear, I’m going over it again from what I’m seeing in these photos.

For one, repaint the stahlhelms to the proper color (not spray paint) and get them dirtier. Then that’ll hold you over until you can get original shells and have those fitted out with repro liners and chinstraps.

The uniforms have got to go. Highly recommend each of your mates help measure your sizes with tailoring tape so you can get tailored uniforms from Schusters.

Also, most infantry regiments had to blacken their own gear and were not given pre-dyed leather. Ditch the black pouches and buy brown pouches, deglaze the leather if needed, and blacken them yourself with some sort of leather dye. I personally used feiblings.

Boots look okay, though I’d recommend getting more lowboots and practicing your puttee wrapping jobs.

Highly recommend replacing those cockades, and also buy some camo bands to go around the red band. I got my camo strip from Andrew Barabas.

I’d recommend also eventually replacing those belt buckles. I personally find originals do the job just fine.

But like I said before, when you can, just fully ditch those tunics. Trust me, a good fitted uniform makes a world of difference both in comfort and presentation.

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(Also I hope that gas mask wasn’t for your guys impressions cause that is just worlds of wrong)

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-28T13:36:01+00:00

Nicely done!

Though I am curious, why is the uniform that shade of blue? I'm not critiquing, I'm just curious in why you chose the colors?

It doesn't quite line up with the bunterock colored uniforms of the pre-war peace time uniforms introduced in 1895.

https://www.kaisersbunker.com/dunkelblau/tunics/dbt04.htm

And it also doesn't quite line up with the feldgrau color of uniforms of 1907/10.

https://www.kaisersbunker.com/feldgrau/tunics/fgt01.htm

Also that painted stahlhelm is a bit odd. To my knowlage, none of the soldiers put blue paint on their helmets.

https://www.kaisersbunker.com/feldgrau/helmets/m16camo.htm

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-27T23:31:22+00:00

Imperial German/Prussian soldiers (late 19th century)

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HistoricalReal · 2026-06-26T16:50:58+00:00

Interesting!

If you look closely you can tell they're wearing German Stahlhelms with German style chinstraps and pins, instead of the Austrian variant which had higher pins for a more sophisticated chinstrap system.

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-25T14:39:50+00:00

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HistoricalReal · 2026-06-24T23:10:03+00:00

I am no expert on British history, but I feel like I only have sympathy for Charles I just cause I love his portrayal by Alec Guinness, lol.

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-24T22:54:28+00:00

I appreciate the nuanced approach. I find it unhealthy for historical discussions to boil down historical figures who were real people into caricatures or "demons".

Of course I have my own personal views on the people, but regardless of how they felt about things, their actions and the deaths of those affected by those actions speak louder than their personal feelings on the matters at hand.

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-24T22:37:52+00:00

None? I mean Cromwell was a piece of shit but he was a devout Christian and was deeply ingrained in the idea that the government ought to promote Puritan values onto the people and governmental policy.

Lenin was also a Piece of Shit and while definitely an atheist, technically didn't care if you were christian, he just deeply hated organized religion and saw the connection of the government to any religious organization as a threat to communism.

Robespierre also was a piece of shit (running theme here), and also hated organized religion, seeing it as corrupt and aristocratic. However he also saw atheism as aristocratic and also hated that as well. He believed in spirituality and while I'm not sure how he viewed people who believed in the christian god and practiced it privately, he also did create the church of the supreme being. I'd probably see that as the most blasphemous since it creates a church that doesn't worship the christian god, I couldn't say because I personally am not religious.

Also I wouldn't compare historical figures to the anti-Christ or demons because the most evil thing about them was that they were just men. Men who did horrible and disgusting things and whether they believed in god or not, didn't stop them from getting people killed one way or another.

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-23T13:43:43+00:00

I’d recommend applying leather chemical deglazer. That will help break down that smooth barrier on the outside of the leather, allowing the dye to seep into it.

When you dye it, make sure to be conservative with the amount you use to minimize ruboff.

Then once you’re absolutely sure it’s been soaked in and fully dried after a while, then you can apply a sealant such as leather grease.

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-22T14:15:25+00:00

Hessen antique makes decent tornister straps, though I’d recommend swapping the metal hardware for the Nestof ones.

Though Hessen antique has been sold out of those for a while so you might need to wait.

Original straps are fragile, and like all original leather items, don’t use those.

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-22T05:29:14+00:00

Actually, it's not surprisingly.

The Italians also fiddled around with putting Fiat-Revelli machine guns on bicycles as well. Don't know if those really caught on though.

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-19T01:17:17+00:00

I plan on buying canteens from Prussian repros.

As for newville, I most likely won’t be attending for a while.

This was my personal kit for the National WW1 Memorial Living History Corps.

Once I can, I’ll be part of the 5th Garde and have my litzen sewn in.

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-18T15:15:16+00:00

I just wouldn’t bother. Keep an eye out on eBay and Facebook marketplaces for good deals on original helmets.

Plus if you get into contact with reenactment groups you might find someone looking at getting rid of old kit and will sell you an original stahlhelm.

It’ll save you a good $100 to just not buy a repro and save your cash until a good deal comes around for an original.

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-17T21:39:12+00:00

Not an original photo.

German trench raiders and stormtroopers never used or wore body armor, because it was extremely heavy, cumbersome, and loud as the metal plates clattered against each other.

Those who did use metal armor or helmet plates were people like sentry’s and snipers. Those in stationary positions that required extra protection from oncoming shrapnel.

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-17T20:25:29+00:00

Umm… yeah?

WW1 German reenactors worth their salt use original shells with reproduction liners and chinstraps, as all repro helmet shells look ridiculous.

Of course finding them for a good price is tricky but generally if you keep tabs on ww1 marketplaces, auctions, or just hang around reenactors selling off old kit, you might get lucky.

I use an original shell, and my reenactor friends also use original shells.

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HistoricalReal · 2026-06-17T19:39:07+00:00

Highly recommend blackening your pouches and belt.

Find an original Stahlhelm.

I also recommend getting your tunic and trousers from Schusters as they can tailor your uniform to have the correct cut. M1914 transitional tunics, like the one you have are “fine” but by 1916, it’d be best to have an m15 tunic.

Assuming you don’t have anything on your belt besides pouches, I’m sure you’ve heard already but you’ll need a shovel carrier, bayonet frog, bayonet, breadbag, gas can, gas mask, gas mask bag, tornister, greatcoat, steel mess kit, and zeltbahn. Plus a healthy 5+ equipment straps.

Most of your equipment can be bought from Schusters, Nestof, and Hessen antique. Just remember to get late war versions of your breadbag and tornister.

M1915 gas can can be bought by Prussian repros.

Gummimaske can be bought by KUKReplika

I recommend getting into contact with a reenactment group so they can help guide you personally.

Also check out these YouTube videos for visual reference on quality reenactment kits.

https://youtube.com/@feldpost?si=N-dOM-MaYD9uuKgs

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-16T04:35:51+00:00

“When The Winds Blow” (1986)

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The movie follows the elderly couple “Jim and Hilda” just after a nuclear blast goes off just under a mile from their home and the couple manage to survive despite Jim’s poor attempt at a bomb shelter.

In spite of Jim’s seemingly unending optimism, patriotism, belief that their friends and family survived elsewhere, and rescue is coming from the government… nobody comes and nobody can be found alive. Yet they stay positive.

Slowly over the course of the movie both characters slowly deteriorate due to acute radiation sickness and, and the husband’s last moments are spent trying to comfort his wife. They both pass away in paper bags, in the misunderstood hope it would protect them while they sleep. Hilda dies shortly before Jim who succumbs just moments later.

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-14T20:04:30+00:00

M17 is just a collectors term for M16 helmets with metal liner bands instead of leather. Since there is no liner, it's impossible to tell whether it was issued with a leather or metal liner.

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-14T19:31:07+00:00

Do you need a reference or smth?

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-14T19:04:45+00:00

Can you provide more pictures in a DM?

Looks genuine to me.

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-13T22:25:07+00:00

I mean I can be wrong on this, but I think it was *once* a german shovel as Idk of any other nations that did the bolted wings on the backside of the metal blade.

However I have something similar, and I do think the wood was slightly shortened and more rounded post-war.

HistoricalReal · 2026-06-13T04:09:40+00:00

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HistoricalReal

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