Are there any Romanian WWII reenactment societies?

the more the hobby picks up the more the competition for better materials/items will arise which will force the less than perfect vendors to be ignored or out of business

Just a few thoughts on the subject of the reproduction uniform being sold by that gentleman at the museum.
The problems with the uniform can be corrected with time and more practice at sewing if this guy is doing the work himself.
Of course the sizeing of the uniform should be more standardize so someone can order the set with standard tunic,trouser,and cap size.
As if you were at the store buying clothes of the rack.
Having a tailor uniform is a nice thought but there is not a army in the world where the enlisted man is offered tailor uniforms.

I also feel that this gentleman could really have a monopoly on the matter of reproduction romanian uniform as no one else at present is making them.
There was a time many years ago when reproduction german uniforms were hard to come by.
What you could buy was not of high quality but that all change with time and the market is now flooded with reproduction.
And now you have the imports comming in from asia at a even lower price.

I can not say too much on the equipment as the faults were seen by all on the forum.
Most of the items everyone is finding on their own one way or the other,mostly original or postwar.
I think the low quality of the repro equipment hurt this guy more than anything.

RHaught if you find that messkit in that cellar,please look for a breadbag in the other corner for me even if it is postwar.

I'll look in the cellars for sure but won't promise anything!

What about using the wool that is used for the AEF uniforms at Schipperfabrik to make a uniform? Seems to be of the right color and material is top notch!

A small update on my reenactment equipment.

I fitted a modern belt bucle from wich I removed the eagle to my communist era belt. It looks pretty good, but it has a couple of ugly holes where the eagle was. What do you think, should I stick with this, fill out the holes and maybe try to repaint it in a matching black or give up and search the antique shops for an original buckle?





Also, I visited the uniform divison of the MMN today, and was astonished to see a cavalry uniform with a belt style I know has been used in WW1. I have one at home, from my gerat-grandfather, that fought in WW1 on both Austro-Hungarian and Romanian sides:



Another question I wanted to ask you uniform experts out there- the uniforms on display at MMN are of a different shade of fabric from the repros sold at the shop downstairs- are the uniforms in the museum original, or replicas?
Also, wouldn't it be easier to reenact a sub-machinegunner instead of a rifleman? From what I see in the ww2 pictures, the soldiers sporting sub-machineguns don't have Y-straps (since those connect to the d-rings on the clip pouches) and only a german style canvas mag bag slung around their shoulder. Aditionally, a replica Mp40 would be a lot easier to come by- I've seen good quality ABS plastic reproductions that look metal even close up. As for the sound and smoke, I'm sure some electronic devices might do the trick. Another plus of a sub-machinegunner would be the fact that he wouldn't need a bayonet (so I won't have to manufacture a new frog for one of mine), and all the pictures I saw show the entreching tool worn without a carrying leather.
Another question would be that of in-the field modifications a soldier might impose on his equipment- for example, a lot of photographs show romanian infantrymen with traditional sheep's wool hats instead of reguar army issue ones. Should I be aiming for one of these instead of the normal uniform?

This post has been edited by Wings_of_wrath on February 24, 2006 08:43 pm

Wing of wrath,

I think the belt plate without the badge is OK. However, the holes must be filled up somehow, then the plate must be repainted black. Another possibility is to use the two holes to attach a crown, as it was regulation and was carried by many soldiers during the war. Of course, an original belt plate (plain or decorated with a crown) will be better, if you could find one somewhere.

The officer belt is of 1939 pattern, very similar to the british officer model. The diagonal strap and the sword slings are missing. It was never carried by cavalry troops. During WW2 all other ranks, no matter the branch of service, carried waist belts fastened in front with a rectangular plate. Old models, with a rectangular buckle, carried on the left hip, were also used.

Some of the uniforms displayed in the Museum’s exhibition are original (especially the officers’ dress since 1895), other are copies (almost all the uniforms between 1830-1895 and the greatest part of the other ranks’ since 1895). The WW2 soldiers uniforms are mostly copies, produced during the 1970s and 1980s from the communist period cloth. This was more greenish than the WW2 period.

But the difference of shades of cloth was frequent in the Romanian army. If you look at several tunics of the same period, is very difficult to find two of the same shade of khaki, with the same cut, buttons, etc. There were many small producers who make uniforms for the army and the reception commissions were lenient enough to accept some derogation from the conditions of contract.

Differences in the shade of cloth and the cut of uniforms was not a characteristic only of the Romanian army. In many armies soldiers wore different variant of dress within the same unit, according the supplying facilities, the extent of wear or the personal taste of the wearier. This gives personality to a re-enactor.

It is an interesting idea to reenact a squad or platoon commander of WW2, e.g. to carry a sub-machinegun. Then you must have the rank of Corporal or Sergeant. However, this would be possible only after some months of service as a Private, if you want to behave as a real re-enactor. Romanian small-unit commanders were equipped with a wide range of sub-machineguns: M. 1938A Beretta, MP 40, M.1941 Orita, etc. The magazine pouches were again of a great variety of models. But for your MP 40 you could use german style triple magazine pouches.

Rhaught would you please tell me more about the material which you mentioned in
your last posting?
I had never heard of this place before.
Do they sell the fabric by the yard?

The great thing about reenacting is that unless you join a unit that wants you dress and equip yourself a certain way then you are free too set up your impression any way you wish to.
I have set up my romanian impression as a common infranrty man who you would find in any infrantry div.
There is thrills in no thrills as some of us say.
RHaught has said that he wish too do mountain troops and Iam sure a few other guys in this forum have their own idear as to what they wish too do.

I had the rank of senior corporal (German) in the unit I belong to and just had a K-98 mauser as my weapon.
The holding of this rank gave me a mission too patrol a part of woods about a mile away from the command center.
Four other soldier were assign to me and off we went across the open field reaching the woods and I had notice on my right flank a large group of allied troops moving in our direction.
I took my group into the woods and very soon we were taking heavy fire from the allied who I had notice on my right and to my surprise we were taking fire from the left also.
Another large group of british soldier enter the fight against us and if you ever read or seen movies were the troops are unable to move due to heavy weapons fire this was one of those times.
Myself and my four other comrades were dead within minutes and afterward I guess we were up against 30 to 40 american and british soldier who took a real delight in our being killed.
I had a guy in my squard who had a blank firing mp-40 and I think he was next to last to be killed.

Now here is the other story when I was a romanian soldier and was part of a mortar squad(German).
I carried the tube and that was a extra 40lbs.
As we were getting up too move out,our backs were toward a certain part of the woods and a red army soldier armed with a ppsh-41 worked his way behind us germans,I believe there was about 20 of us and this red army soldier fired his weapon and used up his entire magizine.
He caught us standing and if this was "real life"he would have had a high kill rate.
You just never know what will happen.

Here is the link to Paul Schippers site.

Schipperfabrik


Believe that the material would be good for a uniform. Go to American section and uniforms. He has a close up of his wool

Thanks Kepi for your advice.
Apparently, my choice to reenact a squad leader seems to be forced one- lets' face it, is just plain easier to get the gear together!
However, I still have a question: were all soldiers armed with sub-machineguns squad leaders? because I have some photograps (some of them apear on this site as well) that seem to show enlisted men sporting such weapons. Of course, most of those pictures are post 23 August '44, and I plan to reenact a mid-war infantryman, but still...

Today I went and spoke to the gentleman that runs the MMN shop to see about getting my reenacting uniform done. He just got a new shipment of caps, done by a textiles manufacturing firm from Galati.
The thing you notice right away is the ugly plastic button in front where a metal one should be, but other than that they look good quality and fit nicely. Another thing that bugged me was the color. It's close to number 4 in this picture:



I know for a fact that there would have been diferences in the fabric used to make the actual WW2 uniforms, but was this color ever use for field gear?
Also, it apears that right now he doesn't have any other type of fabric in stock, so any uniform manufactured will be the same color. In terms of price it will be 400 RON (4,000,000 ROL) for the tunic, trousers, cap and putees.

So, what do you think, should I get my uniform done now, or wait for better fabric? It would take about a week to tailor it, and the earliest reenacting I plan to do this spring is the MMN's Open Gates on May the 13th, when I plan to show up in full uniform, despite the fact that this year's event will have an 1877 theme.

Also, I have found a gentleman that's willing to make me a pair of boots following specifications, and pretty cheap too, at only 100 RON (1,000,000 ROL- by sheer comparison, I just spent 350 RON on a pair of mountaineering boots)
The only problem is the fact I don't have any detailed plans to give him.
Kepi, since you're the expert in this field, could you add some dimensions to that drawing you posted earlier on this board?

This post has been edited by Wings_of_wrath on February 25, 2006 07:58 pm

I went too the web site for schipperfabrik and I think the wool used for the american uniforms would work.
Do you think he would make the uniforms or should we just buy the fabric from him?
It is a nice ww1 site for uniforms!

Wings of Wrath if you can wait a little longer for the uniform then maybe a better source of wool can be found!
I was planning on getting the uniform from the guy at the museum also but he did not get a good review on this forum by a member who bought the entire kit.
The color of wool he is now useing for his uniforms and caps looks more"German" and I am guessing that he just wants too use any wool on hand so long as he can produce the uniforms in a hurry.
When you were at the museum did you have a chance too look at his repro romanian uniform on display?

Where did those czech reenactors get their uniforms?
Anyone know if these came from the museum or somewhere else?

Aparently, the wool he used to make the reproduction uniforms is no longer available, and that's why he is using the greener stuff until he can find a suitable replacement.
Indeed the uniform Calarasi bought looks pretty bad, and that baffles me, because all the stuff I've seen in the MMN shop is top notch quality. Maybe that uniform was one of the first few Dragos Diaconu ever made, and that's why it was so bad?
Anyway, the good thing with buying stuff at an actual shop as opposed to doing that online is the fact that you can check the quality of the product firsthand, before you pay for it, and if it's not satisfactory, you can just leave it.

This post has been edited by Wings_of_wrath on February 26, 2006 09:59 am

I too believe it would work for a uniform. Will ask him if he would make them or if possible to sell by the yard. As I also stated earlier, going to the museum in person to see what I buy first, look at finished product then decide if I should buy or not.

As for color, maybe we can look into dye's here in the states unless you already tried it and doesn't work.

Years ago before the reenactors market had all of these nice reproduction German Tunics,alot of guys were taking the swedish wool tunics and converting them over to look German and then Dyeing them with store bought Dye,myself included.
They look pretty good at first but with constant use the Dye color seem to fade from the material.
That could be that the wool was never meant to be Dyed after the tunic was made
or maybe the Dyes are not strong enuff to last in that fabric.
It is pretty much guess work.

I would like too find a source for the correct color wool and a source who can make these uniform at around the cost of what that gentleman at the museum is selling them at.
At those prices then maybe a secound set of uniform can be bought to make sure that we can have a extra uniform on hand.

There may be some good explanations as to way calarasi recieved a uniform which
he was not happy with.
It may had indeed been a early tunic that the guy had sewn and did not have all the"Bugs"worked out.
Calarasi if you are reading this posting what decision did you make about the uniform?
Are you returning it ,keeping it or would you re-sell it?

I have not heard anyone talking about the breadbag which the museum is selling.
Is this as bad as the gasmask bag or is it better?

Hello all of you!I am the one (Dragos Diaconu) that made the uniform for Calarasi.Full refund was sent to Calarasi (he already picked up the money) and as we agree I should receive the set back!I would like that Calarasi to confirm this on the forum and also on my email!And an answer :I didn't make the uniforms for the czech reenactors!

Hello Dragosdd! Can you shed some light on the matter of the uniforms which you are selling?
I have a few question which I would like too ask you and maybe we can have a better understanding as to what direction too go in as far as the uniforms are concern.

Have you change the wool which you are useing too make these uniforms?
Wings of Wrath has mention that the color looks more like the NO.4 sample in his posting and from what I can see it has a"Green"color to it,it looks more like the German wool.

Getting the correct size may be a problem.
Iam here in the states and as you know getting the proper size would be very important.
When I order my German uniform I go on these sizes Tunic size 46,Trouser w-40,L
33 and the cap would be a size 60.
Can you work with these sizes?

What cost are we talking about here for these 3 items,plus shipping?
And how would you accept payment for these items?

This uniform would be put through the rigors of reenacting as I would be sleeping and fighting in it so it would not take long for the set to have that "worn"look to it and how it stands up to the punishment of this hobby if another concern
Thanks for any help.

My advice is to fill with welding the two holes and then remove the surplus weld and re paint it satin black.

If you found a shoemaker in Bucharest that can make old style boots with natural sole and hobnails I would also be interested, please PM me.