SN42 Body armour

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Guys, as some of might know I am a RKKA re-enactor with 2nd Guards Rifle Div here in the UK.

Over the past 6 months I have been re-searching the SN42 pattern body armour in order to have some reproduced for our unit. I have found looking at original photos that the armour existed in three slightly different versions:

Version as per my pic

Simplified version with no provision for hanging the two plates together. This can be see from the front in original pics as having only 4 rivets showing and not 5.

Another version with the neck shoulder pad secured with rivets in pairs.


The metal work is now done and has been copied from my original, relic condition set. This has been marked with a stamp to show it is a copy as I have no wish for them to be passed off as "real" sometime in the future.

For the straps we will be using Mosin Nagant slings.

However, what I do need is some pics of the padding. I know it is rivetted to the armour around the neck and shoulder area. On the version we have copied there are two loops, which I think are for securing the pad to the chest area of the armour. How does this fit exactly?

Cheers, Ade.

[Adrian Stevenson]

I still need help on this issue please guys.

In the mean time, here is a pic of the armour after I spray painted it.

Cheers, Ade.

[Glymov]

nice one Ade! dont understand bout help.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Thanks!

Here are some more pics as my project progesses. Today I hope to fit the neck/chest padding.

What are these loops are for? I have drawn around them on the pic. I guess to somehow hold the chest padding in place?

Cheers, Ade.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Myself and two comrades from our unit wearing the armour. I have made the pic look old

We still do not know what these loops are for.

Cheers, Ade.

[Pierre N]

very good work Adrian ! ? this armour protect bullet ?

i never see a ww2 pic showing soldat with armour .
which use this armour? all soldats ?

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Peirre, this armour was not general issue and was used mainly by Combat Engineers.

I have several period photos of it in use.

Cheers, Ade.

[Pierre N]

very nice pic !
for me, very strange Armour , small steel plate ! i am sure this small plate is not for bullet protection !

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Pierre, it will stop a 9mm round, but not of course a rifle round.

It was mainly designed to provide protection from shrapnel etc.

Here is a pic with a German soldier showing how it stopped 9mm rounds.

Cheers, Ade.

[Pierre N]

i am very surprised ! it stop 9mm !

excuse my ignorance for this Armour

Thank for the pic !

Pierre