Canadian Battle Dress Uniform and other bits
 

Hey guys,
Are there any good places where I can find Canadian surplus battle dress uniforms, pattern of 1939-45. Also looking for bits to complete my pattern 37 webbing. I already have the belt, two pouches and bayonet/frog. The parts that I have are the ones with black metal hardware and I'd preferably like to keep all the hardware that same colour.

Suspenders would be a great start...

So far this is what I have so far.

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/...psuv6dewti.jpg

I'd post your questions on http://www.ontarioairsoftwwiireenactors.com/ Bunch of members from that forum do Canadian impressions.

If you're in/near Toronto, Nick's Sports has a huge array of original, war-dated P37 web gear. Canadian battledress of the wartime type is difficult to find these days, mostly you'll get the P49 postwar ones with the different collar, not appropriate for ww2. Some of the China vendors repro it, if you want to go that route.

Regarding black anodized fittings on web gear: that pretty much instantly marks it as postwar, mate. You need the brass stuff. Fortunately it's cheap still and easy to replace. What regiment and theatre do you intend to depict?

I'd rather just keep going with the anodized hardware but if its cheaper to buy a complete set of wartime produced gear then I might just go that way.

If Nick's Sports has complete kits for a reasonable price I might try to source one from him.

Not sure which theatre...Europe, but not Italy and I'll probably be keeping my uniform sterile of any unit or regiment insignia's and patches.

OK. I was thinking you wanted to reenact something specific. If your objective is to just get a grab-bag of kit together, yeah, shouldn't be hard. If you want to upgrade at any time my colleagues and I can help you with any questions you may have.

I got some great stuff at the Toronto Military Show. Here's a link.

http://www.torontomilitaryshow.com/

The next one is June 28. I picked up an entrenching tool in a p37 cover, MkVIII RAF goggles, an SMLE sling and a sten sling, all war dated, broad arrow marked. I came close to buying a leather jerkin that actually fit me.
Other than that, haunt antique stores and flee markets. I prefer Z L & T pattern 37.

abc surplus in kitchener ontario at one point in the past, had war dated p37 items. i even got a canteen with the cork stopper in it still. but that was like ten years ago, so who knows about now.

Sorry I don't mean to hijack, I was just wondering; Does anyone know around how much a full set of p37 web gear from Nick's costs? Also wondering if anybody knows if they do mail-order?

I got a belt, braces, 2 basic pouches, sleeve and skeleton water bottle carriers, water bottle, small pack and straps for about $120 all in. All wartime dated, with brass hardware. No clue if they mail order, they're kinda a low-rent mom n' pop type place without even a website, that I know of. The people in the front will try to sell you all sorts of crap but the guy with the moustache who works in the back knows his stuff, will help you if you seem knowledgeable about what you're after.

Cool thank you! They do have a basic website it would seem, but nothing for sale online and nothing about mail-order. Maybe I'll give them a call. Thanks again.

Ask to speak to Tom. The others who work there know nothing and will try to sell you all kinds of dodgy crap.

This is a very informative site.

http://www.karkeeweb.com/1937main.html

One of my favorite pieces is a magazine pouch for the 1911. Wartime dated, made in England for the U.S. Very handy since I carry a TM 1911A1. I have a compass pouch. I just need the compass.

I'm going to have to visit Nick's as well. I'd never heard of it.

You can probably get away with using 1950’s pattern battle dress. I wear 1950’s battle dress with ww2 badges and no one that I talk to can tell. Most think its all authentic ww2 with some people thinking its ww1. Most of my webbing is post war, but I don’t think it really matters that much… it’s a uniform/gear to use out in the field, not for a museum display.
How I wear my webbing is not at all up to spec, because I have it set up to be what is comfortable to me. I put a cross strap on for my shoulder straps as they would seem to always fall off.
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps09237467.jpg

...1949 battledress is INSTANTLY visible with its different collar. If people you talk to can't tell, it's because they don't know what to look for. No offense mate, and I suppose everyone sets their own realism target but don't expect that to impress anyone at a serious reenactment. Nor will using a weapon that was never issued to Canadian troops, with pouches that have no chance of fitting its ammunition.Given the availability of spot-on reproductions and the sheer ubiquity of original war-dated P37 web, there's really no need for shortcuts and excuses anymore. YMMV.

The shoulder straps cross in the back with one of the straps having a loop for the other to go through.

Mind tricks don't work here - YouTube

if any one with a mustache approaches and sounds like that dude run.

P37 BDU that's wearable is out there. You just have to look and be patient. Finally picked up a pair of Canadian P37 Trousers last week that fit my 6'3" 215 lbs frame perfectly.

P49 works ok if you make the alterations to make it look P37. Unaltered P49's only look WW2 to those that haven't the foggiest. Fairly certain that making P37's out of P49's is very common with Canadian Reenactors.

The Chinese Repro Canadian BDU is passable until you put it side by side with original(s). Then the differences are very obvious (Colour, wool type, fit, buttons-overall appearance). A close but no cigar repro IMHO.

Here the Battle Order layout.

http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/equi...ttleorder2.gif

I went to Nick's on Yonge st. on Saturday. They have a lot of Pattern 37, especially the cross and L straps. Definitely talk to the old fellow at the back. He knows his shit.

You can check on this site; http://www.militaria.qc.ca/

This guy have some original battledress at fair price.

I ordered from him a couple of years ago, everything wetn well.

Any military collector/historian would know 49 pattern is not 37… but most people are not. This is airsoft, not some documentary movie. Post war stuff is cheap, and it ‘works.’ I am more content with the 300$ I spent on post war stuff then spending 700$ just to make sure everything said 1943 on it!

Was all of your 1943 dated German gear made in a factory in Germany, in 1943? Or was it made in china in 2012? Who cares what date it says, as long as it is the same look, its fine. If it makes you feel better I shall take my black sharpie marker and write 1943 on my webbing!

It's not just a date, there are actual detail differences between the models that those who know what they're looking at can see right away.

If "good enough for airsoft" is your speed, that's fine. Me, I'm not an airsofter, I'm a reenactor. Not going to feel bad about wanting things to be correct.

Worse comes to worst, there are a few decent repro vendors out there: What Price Glory comes to mind. More locally, you might luck out at Military Tour. Gun shows are excellent but you could also try Marstar and P&S military in Canada. They have bits and bobs of original gear. Collectors Source and Collectors Guild are other resources - the former I can be reasonably priced; the latter, well... FYI - you can luck out from time to time and find post-war brass hardware P37 gear identical to WWII. The black hardware really stands out as incorrect.

No one needs to ruin original battledress running around in the woods playing pretend war. There are all sorts of repro Brit BD out there, from standard (WPG) to outstanding quality (Panther Store in the Czech Republic). If you need the Canadian greener shade of wool, pretty sure one of the China vendors makes it (Hiki? Don't expect quality, but it'll be cheap), and postwar Greek BD is almost identical. There are options if you make the effort to be accurate.

I've just picked up a Repro set from Spearhead Militaria on eBay (http://stores.ebay.ca/Spearhead-Militaria). The material is a little thinner and the buttons are incorrect. I have yet to lay it down next to an original, but I'm happy with the fit.

My WPG British tunic is all right and quite durable, but the shade, oooh how I wanted the correct shade. I tried dying it, but it didn't take as much as I'd like.

Surprised no one has mentioned Top Pots, as that is where I obtained my Canadian uniform for reenacting/Airsofting....and from what my research has told me, the repels are quite spot on.

I got all my webbing gear from WPG though, minus the entrenching tool and small pack, which I got from Supply Sergeant in West Ed and a thrift store, respectively.

Top Pots is bullshit. They sell on Spearhead Militaria stuff (check the latter's ebay pages against the former, the product images are exactly alike), at a considerable markup. If you're going that route cheaper to just get from Spearhead directly.

Well I also have to add in that they had excellent customer service. The guy I talked to on the phone when ordering helped me choose an appropriate sizing, and I changed my mind which confused him and he sent the wrong tunic size...shipped the correct one to me and the wrong back free of charge.

Also! Just searches up and down Spearhead, and found no CANADIAN BDU, which is the point of the topic. So I do not know what you are trying to accomplish with your post, since Top Pots is still the only place I have found to get a good quality Canadian repro uniform.

http://stores.ebay.ca/Spearhead-Mili...=p4634.c0.m322

Seems to be BD blouses only in the Canadian shade at this point, so they're either in between runs, or phasing out. But it's the same stuff, with a ~70 dollar price difference. I'm sure they're "very nice", just letting potential future buyers be aware of their business model.

I spoke to the owner pretty recently at Spearhead Militaria. They are just waiting to get more inventory.

Also, here is a quick comparison of my What Price Glory P37 BD and Spearhead Militaria M37 BD

Spearhead (SHM) on the Left. What Price Glory (WPG) on the Right.

Colour:
WPG is obviously not Canadian, so and it does not dye well. I've tried. It's still brown...
SHM is very close to some originals I've handed. Good enough for me, as there'll always be variation in dying wool.

Build Quality:
WPG is meh. Buttons need re-inforcing, buttonhole stiching sucks, and look at that SLEEVE! It looks like an Axe wound. Having said that, this tunic is a few years old and still going strong.
SHM seems good. There are obvious shortcuts though.

Apparent Authenticity (NOTE: I don't have an original to go side by side right now. I'll be comparing shortly and will update):
WPG seem to fit well, be of a good weight, and seems very passable for a British P37 BD.
SPH seems to be cut well, but of thinner material and the epaulette (or whatever they are called) are not dimensioned properly (uniform width, rather than tapering from the shoulder). The buttons are wrong as well (I will be replacing them).

Do not confuse http://www.spearheadmilitaria.com/ with http://stores.ebay.com/Spearhead-Mil...p2047675.l2563 and http://stores.ebay.ca/Spearhead-Mili...=p4634.c0.m322

The stand alone web store has no relation to Barrylyndon's ebay stores.

The ebay.ca spearhead store is somewhat different than the ebay.com spearhead store in regards to what is for sale. CDN Trousers are available and are listed http://www.ebay.com/itm/WW2-Canadian...item541dde1069

I have owned both Spearhead (Barry) and WPG Battledress. I also own original CDN and UK Battledress to compare with the repros. WPG is closer to fit and appearance IMHO. The WPG sizing does go begin to go off the rails after size 44. If you're a big guy and need a size 48, WPG P37 BD is not your friend.

Anyone have a source for ww2 Canadian battle dress uniforms that are larger than XL

If ever it does not your size on his ebay page, sends a message.
Sometimes it has in stock, but are not displayed on ebay.
2 times he was not on his page and he had in his warehouse...

If you are talking about Barry Lyndon (spearhead eBay)
Already messaged him and he does not have stock in larger sizes

The only place I've seen larger sized Canadian battle dress repros is at toppots
And $310 +shipping for a jacket and pants seems pretty steep

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/t...psof40ggd5.jpg
Canadian BD Man. Tip Top Tailors Nov 1943
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/t...psr9cfy89o.jpg
WPG P37 Made in Pakistan 2013.
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/t...psdeuhgbbo.jpg
WPG P37 Made in Pakistan 2013.
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps3xvmvu48.jpg
Canadian BD Man. Tip Top Tailors Nov 1943

Sleeve stitching ain't so hot on the Tip Top model.

That's good to know! Your WPG tunic looks like it was better sewn than mine. Half the stiching in my trousers I had to redo as they decided that the two pieces of fabric shouldn't be lined up. QC issue, perhaps.

I just wish there were better options for Canadian BD. Oh well.

OK, so here is an even better question. Where would one find an appropriate airsoft long gun for WW 2 Canadian portrayal? Last I looked there was no one making a No 4 Mk 1!

If you can find a No. 1 Mk III that would also be appropriate; they heavily supplemented the No. 4's. Thompsons and Stens would work as well.

I have never seen any documentation that Canadians carried the No 3 in WW2. They may have used them in training but never in theater. I know we're to look for the SMG. As for the SMG unless you are a Cpl or Sgt you shouldn't be carrying one.

Canadians used the SMLE MK III until early 1943. It was in use at the Dieppe raid in August 1942. The Sten MK III also made its first appearance on that day.
The No4 MK1 was in use in Sicily in July 1943 and for the duration of the war on all theatres of operation.
All Thompson smg models were used by Canadians during the Italian/Sicily campaign. The Sten replaced most of the Thompsons in the north/west Europe campaign but was never used in the Italian/Sicily campaign.
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