Equipment List
If you’re unsure about joining the hobby, and would like to meet the unit at a public event to get a feel for it, you are welcome! We do not require people to purchase the entire uniform just to say hello. If you wish to spend an event with our unit before committing to the expense of purchase, you must be dressed in period-appropriate, non-partisan civilian clothing. This will allow you into the camp for extended periods, but will obviously preclude you from battles. Once you start acquiring the kit, try to buy it as soon as possible. Soldaten will not be allowed on the battlefield without the complete combat impression, including all required field gear and weapons, so it is in your best interest to get everything you’ll need to fight before making the active decision to join.
There are different kit requirements depending on a participant's specific impression, as well as time in the unit. Because we understand the high cost of acquiring all the necessary equipment, requirements come in steps we think are grouped well according to necessity. There are numerous sources of purchase for each item on the required list; consult our Links page for approved vendors.
Some items in the kit can be substituted for alternate acceptable models based on the individual member and his time in the hobby or specific impression. Consult an appropriate unit member (Timothy Fonger or Nick Raymer) to receive approval and waivers for alternate uniform items or gear.
For information on the care of your leather equipment: Leather Care and Keeping
Uniform Kit
Required before acceptance into training program. Acquisition of K-98 is strongly encouraged in recruit status. Basic uniform must be wool - of the correct time period - with HBT’s or early-war uniforms OPTIONAL secondary acquisitions. Converted uniform items are not acceptable, including Swedish and East German conversions. Note the “type” of item usually designates the approximate year it was put into service (e.g. M-36 = 1936), so make sure all uniform items are appropriate to the event you are attending. Due to the overwhelming US presence in the hobby, the unit portrays a later-war impression, so all initial uniform items MUST conform to this time period for whole-unit events. The M-32 uniform set is expressly prohibited, as are any other black or white colored uniforms, or any other relics of the Allgemeine-SS.
1. TUNIC (Feldbluse) M-42 or M-43 type.
Tunic shall be feldgrau wool, which was the standard issue uniform for all enlisted personnel. Tunic must have all insignia including Bevo or embroidered sleeve eagle, SS-collar tabs with appropriate rank, SS-enlisted shoulder boards with appropriate piping, and sleeve chevron if warranted by rank. Cuff title is authorized for wear after completion of probationary period, and member will be informed by Command when he may purchase this item. Belt hooks should be worn in the tunics for a neater impression. Loops may be sewn into the tunic for the wear of any medals authorized. The tunic is also to be worn with the black leather tunic belt with SS buckle.
2. SHIRT (Hemd)
Members may wear either the feldgrau Jersey Knit Shirt or the Mouse Gray Service Shirt. The jersey shirt can be purchased with or without pockets, and was the more common of the two seen in service. The Service Shirt should be a Cotton Poplin, and is to have appropriate shoulder boards and sleeve eagle.
3. TROUSERS (Hosen)
Trousers will be feldgrau wool to match the tunic, in style M-43. The M-43 tapered leg trousers are to be worn with trouser belt. In the field, trousers will be tucked into the gaiters or jackboots, and are not to be worn loose and out.
4. BELT AND BUCKLE (Kopel u. Kopelschloss)
Enlisted man’s. Belt must be smooth or pebbled black leather. Buckle will be painted feldgrau (preferable) or left uncolored.
5. BOOTS (Stiefel)
Low boots (brown or black) w/gaiters are preferred, as they were standard issue since mid-war, and allow for more field mobility. Jackboots (black) also acceptable. Boot soles should be smooth leather and hobnailed with heel irons. Vendors offer hobnails for purchase, and a good local cobbler will be able to resole and install hobnails on boots. Laces are to be straight or “bar” laced, as was the custom.
6. HAT (Mütze)
M-43 type for most combat events. Hat must be feldgrau wool. Hat insignia: bevo or embroidered wool skull centered on front, with national eagle on left side, OR combination totenkopf/eagle trapezoid centered on front. The M-40 overseas cap should be purchased for walking-out purposes.
7. EYEGLASSES (Dienstbrille)
If a member wears glasses, he or she is required to utilize proper period frames with shatter proof lenses. Frames are silver in color, with support arms curving behind the ears.
Tactical Kit
Includes all of the above plus the following field gear and equipment that is essential to a member’s performance at tactical events and scenarios. Though these are the essential items, members may want or need to acquire more equipment before participation, especially weather-protection items for use in Winter.
BREAD BAG (Brotbeutel)
M31 (with buttoned belt loop tabs) or M44 (with stitched reinforced loops). Bread bag is canvas in an appropriate camouflage color ranging from feldgrau to khaki tan, with single inner compartment. There are two leather straps on the front flap for equipment attachment, and two D-rings attached by leather to both the front and rear of the bag.
AMMUNITION POUCHES (Patronentaschen)
Two K98 Mauser ammunition pouches. Pouches are to be pebbled black leather with white stitching, with three compartments per pouch. Each compartment is capable of holding two 5-round stripper clips.
Y-STRAPS (Tragneriemen)
German black leather.
HELMET WITH COVER (Stahlhelm u. Tarnüberzug)
M-35 rolled rim or M-42 sharp rim type helmet with leather helmet liner and chin strap. Helmet will be painted feldgrau, and decals are discouraged but permissable. Members may also purchase either a camouflage cover in appropriate pattern or purchase or make a wire mesh cover.
Spanish helmets may be acceptable with conversion; must be approved by leadership.
MESS KIT (Kogeschirr)
M-27 or M-31 type, two-part exterior including folding handle with two strap loops on the handle's exterior. Mess kit also should include an inner fitted cup. Exterior is to be painted feldgrau, inner cup left bare. Will require mess kit straps for attaching to bread bag or A-frame.
CANTEEN (Feldflasche)
Metal canteen with screw-top lid. Wool cover should have appropriate side snaps, front and rear leather loops for canteen strap, and bottom metal post. Cover should be appropriate camouflage color, either feldgrau or graugrün. Canteen cup must be metal (painted feldgrau or blue-black) or Bakelite (preferably black).
BAYONET (Sietengewehr)
Mauser bayonet with wood or Bakelite grips and straight metal blade and metal sheath. Frog should be black leather, either mounted or unmounted, without the top holding strap. Bayonets are to be worn as side-arm by those not carrying pistols.
WOOL BLANKET
Gray, with or without stripes.
LIGHTER (Feuerzeug)
Pocket trench lighter for smokers. Wooden type matches (preferably with reproduction cover) may be used as a substitute.
CAMOUFLAGE SMOCK (Tarnjacke)
Type I or Type II, in a reversible acceptable Camouflage pattern: Plane Tree, Blurred Edge, Oak A/B, and/or Palm. Smocks are large-fitting, as they are to be worn over the tunic for camouflage and weather-resistance in the field, and fall below the tunic to about the middle thigh.The Type I smock has side slits to access tunic pockets. The Type II smock has loops sewn on the shoulders and sleeves in which to loop camouflaging items, plus has pockets in the front "skirt" of the smock. Both tunic will have elastic gathering at the waist and the wrists, and a string-braided tie at the collar.
TOQUE (Kopfschutze)
The toque is used for cold-weather climates, as a covering for the neck and head. Toques should be feldgrau or grey wool.
GLOVES (Handschue)
Gloves are encouraged to be purchased for cold-weather use. They must be period-appropriate black, grey or felgrau leather private-purchase, or standard military issue, black or gray wool with size rings.
OVERCOAT (Mantel)
M-36 or M-40, feldgrau wool. Must have shoulder boards.
SHELTER QUARTER (Zeltbahn)
Soldiers were issued one shelter quarter for personal coverage and camouflage. Four of the quarters were buttoned together to create a four-man pyramid tent. Individual quarters must be approved Camouflage. Grey or Tan full zeltbahn tents are acceptable for camping purposes; it is advised that each member acquire their own full zeltbahn if they do desire one, as they can comfortably fit only one or two people and their field gear.
ZELTBAHN STAKES AND POLES
Poles: wooden, three or four (depending on the desired height of your zeltbahn tent)
Stakes: wood or metal, four to eight
Members are also encouraged to purchase a length of hemp/natural fibered rope to secure the zeltbahn to stakes
PAYBOOK (Soldbuch)
SS-style, to be completed with information about your primary persona and carried with you at all times.
ID DISC (Erkennungsmarke)
Aluminum or zinc
TORNISTER, RUCKSACK AND/OR A-FRAME
Leather or canvas where applicable, used for carrying excess gear and equipment
GAS MASK CAN (Tragbruchse)
M-36 or M-38 types, painted feldgrau. Gas masks were carried by mandatory order of the Führer, after he was exposed to poisonous gas during the Great War. Troops will wear gas mask cans at all times during reenacted battle.
FLASHLIGHT (Taschenlampe)
Black or field-grey, preferred with colored lenses
FIELD UTENSILS
Metal spork or German utensil set
BUTTER DISH (Fettdose)
Bakelite or aluminum
