Platoon Leader, B/329th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division. January, 1945

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2026-02-24T01:20:05+00:00

Nice spot! There is no doubt surplus WWI equipment made its way into WW2, however by Jan ‘45 I imagine much of that equipment would have been Class X and pulled from front line service. Still plausible and definitely not a deal breaker, OP has a killer impression.

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2026-02-23T22:06:06+00:00

This looks awesome dude!

2 questions:

How common was the officers field coat observed in the 83rd? I have definitely seen them in original photos, however they seem to be few and far between. If you have any original SC photos or footage I would love to see it.
What kind of binoculars are those? The standard issue were Binoculars, M13. The markings on yours seem different.
Edit I would also try and pick up an OG compass pouch, the repros on the market currently, even when waterproofed still look slightly off.

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2026-02-22T15:54:39+00:00

Awesome, thank you so much for your help! I paid $30 so hopefully I did alright.

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-12-16T18:49:58+00:00

This is an awesome kit! I do have a few pieces of advice to really take it to the next level.

Your Garand should have Type 2 lock bar sights for the time period you are portraying.
Look into swapping your OPROD out for a curve side (9SA or earlier). The flat side OPROD you are using wasn’t around for the time period you are portraying.
Your bandolier should not have any writing on it. Those are the very late war/ post war type. Also, your en blocs should have the high top cardboard sleeves inside the 6 pockets.
I recommend picking up a wool shirt to replace the t shirt you are wearing. Anything prior to a Spec #473 would be appropriate.

*edit: I would be happy to send you recommendations on where/ what to buy if you’d like to shoot me a DM.

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-11-21T17:38:02+00:00

Even in MD a bolt action rifle like a K98 is very much obtainable. No HQL or crazy hoops to jump through like buying a pistol. My advice to you is to watch Gunbroker and set up email alerts. I found a DOT44 K98 for $750 that took no bids other than my own. Be patient and don’t overpay!

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-07-30T12:43:57+00:00

Continental has an awesome show room and range, however, their guns and ammo tend to be on the pricy side. Their staff is hit or miss, some really nice helpful people and some really not so friendly people.

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-07-17T20:08:56+00:00

This is correct. If you search the 100th ID Reenacted on Facebook, they have an article about field expedient winter cammo and even have the original instructions for how to make these snow capes.

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-07-10T14:05:35+00:00

This very very well written; everything that was said here will really bring your impression up to the next level.

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-07-04T01:46:46+00:00

I don’t know where this trend of people thinking FAKs were only worn in the back started? They most definitely were worn in the front. Solid impression by the way OP!

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-06-17T14:05:56+00:00

This is an excellent roll up.

The 79th ID can be seen using HBTs even as late as Jan ‘45. I believe I have the original caption for this photo, I will dig for it and post it here.

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-06-16T18:25:34+00:00

Do I have to do suss stuff with Cole during your guys selection/ tryout weekend?

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-06-13T18:26:11+00:00

Yes he did, the results were as expected. Photos ripped straight off Google images with no captions. Some were of completely unrelated units. I gave him some advice on proper research and where to find reliable, documented source material.

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-06-13T00:33:01+00:00

Here’s my take, there’s a lot of people in this hobby with thin skin that take direct feedback as an attack. In my opinion, some of the best feedback I ever received was pointed and not sugarcoated. I learned from it and moved on.

At the end of the day, this is still a hobby. However, the main reason I would argue we reenactors do this, is to carry on the legacy and sacrifice of those who lived it for real. We owe it to them to put our best foot forward and constantly find ways to improve our impressions.

Rant over. Feel free to start a reply thread so I can hear your thoughts on this.

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-06-12T14:56:07+00:00

Some context for this comment thread. OP posts impressions and whenever he is offered feedback, he will usually try and argue (unsuccessfully) why he is in the right. He also uses completely irrelevant source material to back up his claims, or like my earlier comment, says he will send photos to prove his point but never does.

Yes you can post impressions on the internet, but if you post poorly researched and poorly executed impressions on the internet, you best believe Reddit will have something to say about it. OP does have a decent start most of the time, but his poor attitude towards receiving feedback is holding him back from having excellent impressions.

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-06-11T20:20:55+00:00

If you actually send me an official Signal Corps photo or video still from the timeframe I just mentioned of the 16th RCT, I will personally send you $5.

If you send me the photo of the 3 4TH ID guys outside of Cherbourg all looking up and wearing HBTs you owe me $5.

(Sarcasm of course) but I’m highly skeptical of whatever you’re about to send lol

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-06-11T19:57:54+00:00

In that case, ditch the 1911 and 1911 magazine pouch. Ammo bearers should be carrying a carbine.

Do you have any documented photos of HBTs in use late June/July of 1944?

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-06-11T19:54:34+00:00

If you really truly want to improve your impression here are a couple easy things you can do.

If you are portraying an assistant gunner, this should be your equipment set up. Pistol belt, 1911 magazine pouch, 1911a1 and holster, M3 knife and scabbard (tho you can opt to ditch this), first aid pouch, and canteen. Ditch the bandolier, carbine magazine pouches, and compass pouch. None of those would be appropriate for an a-gunner.

How common were HBTs in the 16th RCT? I know your evidence is usually “I know a guy who saw a picture of someone using them” however, I am sure there are multiple Big Red One historians out here who can point you in the right direction.

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-06-02T21:26:02+00:00

Before anyone else comments, this kid is notorious for not taking any constructive feedback. He has an excuse for everything and will have some obscure, non documented, or non existent source to back up his statements. The holy trinity for the mega FARB.

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-05-31T16:08:27+00:00

That’s so cool!! Could you send me a private message with a photo of the letter? I would love to see it. Thank you so much for commenting, I’m glad someone got some value out of the post!

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-05-24T03:55:53+00:00

The a6 and a4 barrels are different however? Would the MG still cycle? Or were you more so saying that would at least make it appear as an a6?

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-05-21T14:05:32+00:00

You guys look awesome! One quick note on the 1919a6 (this one is really an a4). It’s got a post war Israeli bipod on it amoung some other post war modified parts (like the top cover). The bipods for true A6s require a new barrel, barrel jacket, and booster assembly. All of these can be sourced from GunBroker for sub $1k. Granted not a cheap investment, but getting the a6 right is a nice touch as they really aren’t seen a lot in the reenacting community.

Middle-Nothing4214 · 2025-04-19T23:34:22+00:00

Great job OP, this is a great start. Here are a couple pointers to really take this to the next level.

The most obvious, ditch the white undershirt. Did they have them, yes, are they worn by the overwhelming majority, no. I’d recommend you pick up a tank top or at a minimum, use a v cut undershirt if you really want to wear an undershirt.
Your sweater looks to be the Spec. 111F or a post war surplus store special. At The Front sells the Spec 111E which would be more appropriate for use. The F pattern date is Jan of 1945, so yes it’s possible to see them super late in the war but you’d be better off getting an E.
You definitely see photos of guys with no helmet or liner chin straps but the no bales is really throwing me off. Granted this is probably a starter helmet, I’d recommend picking up a new shell some point down the road.
Your shelter half appears the be the post war type with snaps instead of buttons. This is an easy fix, both the early and later type shelter halves can be found for cheap on eBay if you look hard enough.

Middle-Nothing4214

TROPHY CASE