Where to Start (Part I)
The Vendors
Getting into the world of reenacting can appear a daunting task. There are entire industries dedicated to recreating clothing and equipment from 80 years ago, there are original pieces floating around surplus stores and antique shops. You can find one item for $30 but another for $300. Where should you spend your money and what should you avoid? This information is all available in scattered places across the internet and varying opinions among reenactors, but I will try my best to lay out the groundwork for portraying a U.S. GI from the Second World War.
As you spend more time in the hobby, you will develop your own opinions and figure out what your needs are when growing your collection. These are just the observations I've made that should make it easier for someone to make the right decisions starting out.
To start things off, let's cover the main places where you can find your gear.
At the Front - ATF has become the general standard for reenacting gear. They do their research, give good context to the equipment you're investing in, price their gear pretty well and generally have some consistent sales and closeouts. I have had the buckles break on web belts before, unfortunately, so I generally look elsewhere or for originals in that case.
SM Wholesale - Very well researched and well constructed uniforms, primarily with a German focus, but do some US gear as well. Most items are at a much higher price point, however their boots are well constructed and slightly cheaper than At the Front's footwear. If ATF isn't an option, SM Wholesale is highly recommended.
WWII Impressions - Well constructed uniforms also at a higher price point. There are a few niche items that I utilize them for that other companies don't make, as well as for cartridge and web belts if originals aren't an option.
What Price Glory - Eclectic mix of all sorts of items, including less reproduced gear such as raincoats and rain capes, Commonwealth and WWI equipment. The quality varies, but floats around decent. A lot of their gear is cheaper, and perfect for modifications, so you're not ruining a $100 Winter Combat Jacket by removing the liner for the Florida heat.
Soldier of Fortune Militaria - Good all around option based out of Wales, so all sizes are European. Clothing seems to run smallish with some items, but their Kay Canvas line has been pretty good for a budget option. Their equipment and web gear is also serviceable, but don't expect to get a long life out of it. Overall good for the lower price, but don't expect it to last very long.
Epic Militaria - Similar to SoF Militaria, decent cheaper all around option also out of Wales. Sizes are also European, but a much larger amount of clothing fits a size smaller. Most of the equipment sunfades fairly easily and is on the cheaper side, but their footwear appears to hold up pretty well.
Originals - Hunting original gear basically requires a write-up all on it’s own. There are quite a few items that I prefer over reproductions, but it all depends on how well they've held up over the years, and what people value them at. I have had more luck finding equipment and uniforms at antique shops than I ever have at surplus stores, but it depends entirely on your area. Finding original gear is definitely worth it in the long run, but you should know what to look for first before you start getting into the weeds.
Lastly, on the subject of purchasing anything, discuss your impressions and ideas first before you commit to putting money down on the wrong, poorly made, or unnecessary item. There are a lot more businesses that offer reproduction gear, I just haven't dealt with them. Some are good, others not so much, but those can be discussed when you're testing the waters and figuring out how you want to build out your impression.
In our next “Where to Start” we’ll discuss the best gear to start with and how to build out your impression for our events. As we continue this series we will eventually cover the finer details of the gear, special items, and firearms/blank-fire information.
