U.S. ARMY WWI IMPRESSION

(Note stop-gap items in red. This lists WWII re-enacting items that are allowed at this event. However, check again next year, because these items might not be allowed in the future as we tighten standards.)

Basic impression to attend the event:

 

 

• M1912 or M1917 4-pocket, high-collar wool tunic. (M1912 is a lighter khaki wool, while the M1917 is the brown/green more typically seen in WWI, similar in color to British WWI tunics)

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• Blackened copper collar disks (US on right collar, branch of service on left)

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• Wool breeches

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• Campaign hat (Smokey the Bear style) or wool overseas cap or M1917 helmet.

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• Rough-out, lower quarter boots (WWII rough outs acceptable, main difference is WWI style has leather soles with hobnails)

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• Wool leg wraps (Putties). Leggings were not used overseas.

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• Wool half-button, pull-over shirt. (WWII U.S. wool shirts are acceptable)

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• Wool overcoat can be worn in place of the tunic. WWI overcoats differed from those in WWII in the use of blackened copper buttons, had epilate-shaped attachments on the ends of the sleeves that could be buttoned to better close the wrist openings in extremely cold weather, and the bottom of the coat was an unfinished. (stop-gap allowance is a WWII overcoat with WWI blackened buttons and wrist epilates added)

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Basic gear to complete Doughboy impression:

 

• M1917 helmet. Same as/copied from British WWI helmets. Differs from early WWII M1917 dish-pan helmet in that is uses a brown leather chin strap instead of a webbing strap.

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• M1910 dismounted cartridge belt. (Two standard types, one has puckering at the bottom at on each pouch, second pattern has flat lighter-weight canvas patch used to finish bottom part of each pouch)

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• M1910 Haversack. Differs from WWII M1928 pack with use of square cast or heavy stamped strap buckles, has 1 rear support strap instead of 2 that connect to cartridge belt, and uses a mess kit pouch that has its top flap secured with a black flat button instead of a strap and buckle. (M1928 packs are acceptable if they have an M1910pattern mess tin pouch)

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• M1910 pack extension (also called the lobster tail or "diaper"). M1928 pack extensions are the same as WWI. They attach to the pack using a brown leather strap woven through the button holes at the bottom of the pack. Used to attach blanket and shelter half.

• M1910 mess kit (originals are dated on the end of the handle)

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• T-handle shovel and cover (WWII pattern is same as WWI)

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• Wood grip 17-inch Springfield or M1917 rifle bayonet with appropriate WWI pattern scabbard. (WWI 17-inch bayonets allowed if they have wooden grips and the scabbard has a repro WWI canvass and leather tip cover)

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• M1910 canteen and cover. Canteens use aluminum caps. (WWII khaki covers are same as WWI – aluminum canteen cups WWI and WWII are the same pattern)

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• M1910 first aid pouch. Differs from WWII pouch in that it is made of lighter-weight canvas, has a rectangular top flap and uses 2 snaps instead of a single push-the-dot snap.

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• M1910 shelter half. Open-ended shelter halves (pattern used until about 1942). Main difference from WWI and WWII open ended tents is the pattern of buttons used. (WWII open-ended shelter halves are allowed)

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• U.S. issue wool blankets. More course and has hand-sewn edging instead of finer quality wool and machine edge stitching. (WWII pattern blankets acceptable)

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• M1917 Gas Mask and bag. Same pattern as British WWI mask and bag.

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• French M2 gas mask and bag. Carried as a backup gas mask because it was more comfortable and lighter weight than the M1917. Worn for smoke, teargas and lower concentrations of poison gas. Impregnated cloth hood instead of using a canister.

 

WEAPONS:

 

• M1917 Enfield (Eddystone, Remington) rifle. The American version of the British P14 rifle, but chambered in .30 instead of .303. Already in mass production in the U.S. for Britain in 1917, so adopted as a substitute standard for the Springfield rifle, which government arsenals could not be produced fast enough to gear up for immediate action in Europe. As a result, most U.S. troops in France carried the M1917. (British P14 rifle is an acceptable substitute standard.)

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• M1917 bayonet. Same as British P14 bayonet, but has 2 grooves filed into handle so U.S. troops could identify that it would not fit on a Springfield. Uses a British style scabbard made of green leather with blackened metal hardware.

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• M1903 Springfield. Standard issue U.S. army rifle. (WWII modified rifles are acceptable as long as they do not use the later war M-1 carbine style sight mounted at the rear of the receiver. Main modifications during WWII include new barrels, a reinforced receiver collar where the rear site attaches, and replacement stamped sheet-metal parts that are parkerized instead of using the WWI bluing)

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• M1917 Trench Shotgun. Should has the bayonet lug attachment and should be carried with the M1917 bayonet and scabbard.

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• Enfield Rifle SMLE No.1 Mk.III allowed as a substitute standard (issued in limited numbers temporarily to U.S. troops serving in British sectors to ease ammunition supply difficulties)

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• Browning .30 Cal water cooled machinegun

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• French Chauchat light machinegun

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• French Hotchkiss machinegun

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• British Lewis Gun

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• British Vickers water-cooled machinegun

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• Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) was only used in the last couple weeks of WWI.

 

Pistols:

 

• M1912 web pistol belt. (WWII khaki belts allowed, main difference is the WWI belts have a larger tongue on the buckle)

• 45 Colt pistol (same as WWII pattern). Uses M1912 leather .45 holster (same as used in WWII)

• M1917 Colt .45 revolver. Uses M1909/1917 brown leather holster

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IMPERIAL GERMAN FORCES

The following items are required for this impression:

 

Uniform:

 

 

• field cap (Feldmütze) 

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• tunic (Waffenrock or Feldbluse)

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• trousers (Hose)

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• boots; or ankle boots and wrap leggings  (Marschstiefel/Schnürschuhe und  Gamaschen)

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• neck stock (Halsbinde) 

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• shirt (Hemd)

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Equipment:

 

• steel helmet (Stahlhelm)

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• weapon

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• bayonet and bayonet frog (Seitengewehr (or  Bajonett) und Seitengewehrtasche (Koppelshuhe)  belt with belt plate (Koppel  mit Koppelschloß)

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• cartridge pouches (Patronentaschen)

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• spade with carrier (Schanzzeug mit Futteral  Schanzzeugtasche)

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• gas mask and carrying can (Gasmaske und.  Tragebüchse)

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• bread bag (Brotbeutel)

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• canteen (Feldflasche)

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AUSTRO - HUNGARIAN FORCES

 

I. The following items are required:

German items may be substitued for the following Austrian items: helmet, gasmask and carrier, trousers, boots, shirts, legwraps and suspenders. All other items worn/carried by Austrian troops must be of the appropriate A-H pattern.

 

• Uniform

• Field Cap

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• Tunic

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• Trousers

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• Shirt and Undershirt

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• Suspenders

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• Leg Wraps 

• Austrian or German Ankle Boots

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Equipment:

 

 

 

• M95 Mannlicher Rifle and Sling

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• Mannlicher Bayonet and Scabbard 

• Brown Leather Belt with Roller Buckle 

• M95 Mannlicher Ammo Pouches

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• Breadbag

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• Canteen

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• Shovel and Carrier

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• Rucksack

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BRITISH - Infantry Standards:

 

• The Brodie helmet only came into use in 1916.   If you are wearing a Service Dress cap or a trench cap you can participate in the earlier battles.   The other thing that is missing is the web gear set.  You need to hold your ammunition,  canteen and e-tool.  Unlike the US system,  You have to have the suspenders to support your ammunition pouches, e-tool and canteen.   All of these items are supported by the suspenders.  As far as braces go.  I recommend people get the elastic braces (soldier of fortune has them).  Non elastic braces have no give and when you move on the battlefield you will probably lose trouser buttons.  My additions assume that the person is doing a standard British Infantry impression.   This also works for most Canadian troops.   Highland Regiments, Australian,  New Zealand troops have completely different kit.                                                                                                      
   

• -  Pattern 1917 Trench Cap or Pattern 1905 Service Dress Cap(1914-15)
    
    - Pattern 1907 Tunic and Trousers
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    - Pattern 07 Puttees —wool leg wrappings. Nine feet in length with two-foot cotton tape on the end.
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    - Ammo Boots — Black Pebble grain with no toe cap. However boots with toes caps are acceptable for most units, and the others can be more difficult to find. No rubber soles allowed, must be leather.
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    - Braces — Correct British Army braces are the best. Make sure you use ones that are made of non-elastic cotton and have leather attachments for buttons. Clip on suspenders will not be accepted.
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    - Socks — Any gray or green socks are fine.
  
   Equipment:

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    - Brodie Helmet — Any of the WWI pattern Brodie helmets are acceptable. Look for one with a good liner and fits your head. Leather support straps can be replaced. Note: Yank helmets are only slightly different than Brit/ Canadian, they are missing a rubber dounut in the top liner pad. WWII helmets are not allowed.
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    - No1 Mk. III Enfield
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    - Mills Web Gear Rifle Sling — WWII dated ones are fine and are identical to those of the First World War. Just make sure that you get one with Brass ends. Stay away from the ones with blackened ends.
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    - Water Bottle — Blue enamel Brit bottle with a gray or khaki cover. Note: Do not use a blue cover.
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    - E-tool and Helve (handle) — WWII ones are acceptable but you will need to make sure that the handle you get is early war. Later WWII ones the handle has a wooden lug for the spike bayonet, so the handle can become a mine detector. Stay away from those but the early ones are ok.
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    - .303 Brit Charger Clips — Each holds 5 rounds and will fit three to each pouch of the ammo pouches. So the total you can fit into the pouches is 30 (150 rounds).
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    - Small Box Respirator and Bag
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    - Bayonet — Pattern 1907 Bayonet. You want the scabbard to have the tear drop lug. Look for one that is dated with a WWI date (other than the 1907 that is marked on all of them).
  
    
    -  Web Gear Pattern 1908.  This includes belt,  2 sets of 5 Cartridge Pouches (Left and Right),  Water bottle Holder, Entrenching tool holder,  Bayonet Frog, and Entrenching tool Helve holder.
  Recommended but Not Required   
    - Great Coat — You can find British WWII (1940 Pattern Dismounted) Great Coats
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    - Rain Cape — These are good for a 1917 and later impression. If you want an earlier wet weather impression, you can purchase a Ground Sheet. Early WWII, brown ones are acceptable as well.
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    - Gray Wool Blanket — What you are looking for is a Brit issue blanket. Will have a single red line or three red lines down the centre and will have the ends edged in red wool. Grey Civil War Style blankets are acceptable as long as they do not have the US on them.
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    - WWI Mess Tin — The "D" shaped and made from the 1850's through WWI. This was standard issue to British troops.
    - WWI Mess Tin Cover — Canvas cover for your Mess Tin.
    - Pattern 1908 Haversack (small pack) - World war 2 Type will work as stop gap
    - White enameled tea Mug

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• Pattern 1907 Tunic and Trousers

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• Pattern 07 Puttees —wool leg wrappings. Nine feet in length with two-foot cotton tape on the end.

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• Ammo Boots — Black Pebble grain with no toe cap. However boots with toes caps are acceptable for most units, and the others can be more difficult to find. No rubber soles allowed, must be leather.

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• Braces — Correct British Army braces are the best. Make sure you use ones that are made of non-elastic cotton and have leather attachments for buttons. Clip on suspenders will not be accepted.

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• Socks — Any gray or green socks are fine.

 

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FRENCH IMPRESSION 1915-1918:

(Note: French reference to "khaki" wool uniforms referenced for colonial troops is different than the U.S. or Brit interpretation. The color is more of a brown, similar to French WWII 1940 wool uniforms or British wool uniforms. Only colonial troops wore the Khaki wool uniforms in WWI.)

I. Basic Uniform Impression:

 

• Mle. 1914 Tunic 5-button wool - horizon blue or khaki for colonial

• Mle. 1914/15 wool breeches - horizon blue or khaki for colonial

• Kepi Mle. 1915- horizon blue or khaki for colonial

• Bonnet de Police (forage cap) Mle. 1891/1915 or Mle. 1918- horizon blue or khaki for Colonial

• Puttees (leg wraps)- wool with tape ties, horizon blue or khaki

• Boots – Mle. 1893/1912/ 1915 brown rough-out low-quarter boots with hobnails

• Shirt- white or white with gray pinstripes, placket front and standing collar

• M1915 Overcoat – horizon blue or khaki ( colonial troops wore both )

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II. Infantry and Field Equipment

 

• M1915 Adrian helmet- of four piece construction and painted dark horizon blue . (A stopgap for the 1915 helmet is the M1926 (2 piece const., no roller beading around the base of the helmet dome where it meets the visor — the WWII French helmet) used with a khaki helmet cover.

• Ceinturon Mle. 1903/14 (waist belt)- brown leather with single or double tongue roller buckle

• Cartouchieres Mle. 1905/14 (cartridge pouches)- 3 required brown leather with brass closure stud, trapezoidal belt loop and metal twisted ring for attaching to "J" hook.

• Bretelles de Suspension Mle. 1892/14 (Y-Straps)- brown leather connected by brass or steel ring and having 3 Mle. 1845 Crochets de Cuivre (metal J-hooks) for attachment to twisted rings on pouches

• Porte-Baionnette Mle. 1888/14 (bayonet frog)- brown leather with steel or brass buckle

• Le Masque ARS [appareil respiratoire special] Mle. 1917 (ARS 17 gas mask)- complete with corrugated steel canister. Canister may be painted khaki or dark horizon blue.

• Le Masque M2 (M2 gas mask) complete with either khaki canvas pouch or rectangular metal canister painted either khaki or dark horizon blue

• Bidon Mle. 1877 2 Litre (canteen)- double spout with brown leather sling and cover of either horizon blue or khaki wool

• Quart Reglementaire (regulation cup)

• Musette Mle. 1892 (bread bag)

• Gamelle Individuelle Mle. 1852 (individual mess kit)

• Fourchette et Cuillere (fork and spoon)- French Army issue tin

• Havresac Mle. 1892 (pack)

• Couverture (blanket), Mle. 1892 brown or gray wool [ use 1950 French army surplus)

• Toile de Tente Individuelle Mle.1897/14 (individual shelter half)

• Moities de Demi-Support Mle. 1908 (tent poles)

• Pisquete de Tente (tent stakes)- wooden 'fish' style

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III. Weapons

 

• M1886/93 Lebel Rifle

• M1907/15 Berthier Rifle

• M1916 Berthier

• M1886/1915 Lebel Bayonet