My Militaria collection

[douglas2496]

Thanks guys. A British 1922 pattern tunic dated 39.

[douglas2496]

Some WW1 British items, and British German and French relics from France and Belgium.

[Watchdog]

Wow!, I have just seen this (I wasn't a member when it was first posted) and I just wanted to say that this is exactly how a "militaria collection" should look. There is so much hype these days about "specialising" in one subject but that is not militaria collecting as I understand it.

Just one thing though, who said the holster on the British Army officers SD is on the wrong side? As far as I am aware (including 24 yrs as a regular soldier myself) the regulation method of wear for pistol holsters has always (excluding some specialist fashion victims) been on the left and butt forward. This way one can draw with either hand if need be.

Cracking displays.

Regards

Mark

[douglas2496]

Hi Mark, thanks very much for your comments.

I need to research the correct wear of the holster, because like you i thought i had it correct but took the word of fellow members who told me otherwise in this thread;

Some British and American uniforms

Having now researched it by looking at contemporary photographs I am satisfied that I was told correctly that the holster is indeed on the wrong side. Presumably things had changed by the time of your service Mark, and Jerry points out in the thread referenced here that at least one officer wore his holster on the other side.

[douglas2496]

Actually Mark, I'm finding several images showing the holster on the other side, so it looks like either side is OK to me. Thanks for raising this point.

[Watchdog]

Actually Mark, I'm finding several images showing the holster on the other side, so it looks like either side is OK to me. Thanks for raising this point.

I think the answer is that (and this was certainly the case during my service) regulations say the holster should be on the left butt forward but that personal prefererance and "fashion" sometimes result in the "cowboy style". As I say, and try it for yourself, wearing the holster in a butt forward orientation makes it possible to draw the pistol with either hand whilst although some "specialists" will say that it is quicker to draw with the butt rearwards (take a view here) what happens if, as is likely in combat, the dominant hand is incapacitated and you physically cannot draw with the other?

People will always argue but lets see if we can find dress regs to quote

Regards

Mark

[douglas2496]

Good points Mark, thanks very much.

Here is a Soviet tankers M43 gymnasterka.

[douglas2496]

US M43 jacket dated 1943 and late war refurbished M1 helmet.

[douglas2496]

With an update, here is my deactivated gun collection.

[douglas2496]

Also my German homefront display, with a 1930's Volksempfänger radio set. Also two British home front displays.