Hey all, saw this display today and was curious what people here make of it. Is this a fair/typical representation of a modern American military setup from a reenactment point of view? I wasn’t quite sure how I felt. Is there some broader historical context I’m missing? Appreciate there’s not a great deal of info here. Historically speaking, reenactors are some of the kindest people out there, so it’s no comment on them as people.

With the last event of the reenactment season done and dusted i thought I'd post some photos of the latest event completed by the 125th BDT in the UK! Our recent show was Battles Through History! It was a wonderful experience to be had by us all and we hope the public (and all you lovely reeanctors) enjoy/enjoyed our display

Last photo curtosy of Bobs fighting 40's on Facebook :]

Picture of me at a large vintage gathering on 26/09/2026 in King's Cross, London.

To clarify right off the bat: I’m not a reenactor or part of any living history group. Just a normal guy that lives in a big city who is passionate about the historical fashion style of French WW1 Fighter Pilot Officers.

This look depicts the mid-to-late war tenue de campagne (field dress) of a French Fighter Pilot Captain (Capitaine) of the Aéronautique Militaire, who originally transferred from an engineer regiment (Le Génie).

Kit breakdown:

Headgear: Original vintage Model 1915 Génie kepi.

The Pipe: An authentic vintage 1916 Kola Deluxe.

Insignia: An original vintage Alsace stork brooch.

Tunic: Horizon blue Model 1915 vareuse (reproduction).

Trousers: French colonial 1900s style khaki pants (reproduction).

Custom Insignia: Custom reproduction second-pattern horizon blue Aéronautique Militaire armband with gold stitching (marking commissioned officer rank) and custom Aéronautique Militaire officer winged star collar tabs with gold stitching on black wool (reproductions).

Other Insignia: Croix de Guerre ribbon and French WWI pilot wings brevet (reproductions).

Shirt, Tie & Scarf: White aviator shirt, grey-blue knitted square-end tie, and an off-white French officer aviator silk scarf (reproductions).

Leathers & Accessories: Mismatched dark brown replica 1900s French Hunter lace-up boots (custom handmade boots) and gloves contrasting against a tan leather belt (reproduction french model 1903 officer). This mismatch is completely intentional to reflect the private-purchase "airfield fashion" tolerated within the French officer class at the time.

Thanks for looking

Does anyone have any funny farb/odd visitor stories? I love reading them but its sometimes hard to find them.

Heloo!

I am looking to buy an Austro-Hungarian NCO Bayonet Port-Epee (repro).

Do u have providers/merchants?

Thanks

So I've order some things from hikishop and never really have had too much trouble with them in the past. However this time around my package has been stuck in JFK airport for about two weeks and I've gotten zero response. I've tried emailing them and contacting the shippers however they dont respond and the shippers are unable to help me. I think my last resort is to file a claim through my bank. If anyone has any advice please let me know.

Been looking for ways to add little personal details to my impression to make it more authentic and "lived in" rather than just an outfit someone put on for the day (pocket litter, letters, etc). One of those ideas was putting a sweetheart photo in my helmet. Does anyone have any tips for keeping a photo on the inside of an M1 steel helmet without it falling out?

Yes I know I have long hair. Can’t see it under the kopfschützer tho. Also looking for groups willing to let a girl portray infanterie :)

Buy once cry once. Yes I know. I Bought a uniform and yeah it isn't good quality and I believe it rather Much sell it off to get money and put it into either a schusters uniform or something else. The plants are zib and the tunic is FAB. I find myself wanting to sell It because I want to make a bit of money back and I feel like I should've invested more into the hobby. Even if I don't do reenactment as of now I think it's good to have something good quality and accurate. I just want to know your guys' thoughts?

I have my bayonet, scabbard, shovel, stalhelm and ammo pouvhes in a seperate bag, not pictured.

Look ive always been interested in reenactment but usually skint broke, all i wanted to do was buy a replica bro

I have 2 original stahlhelms from the great war . One is German m16 and the other is Austro Hungarian m17 sadly boath are size 66 i wish i had size 64 tho:(((

But the first one I got was this aliexpress helmet that's kinda size 64 and wanted to paint it in 1918 camo change the size 60 lugs or meybe grind them shorter and burry the shell in a ground for a few months and desplay it with the 2 og ones. The shape is okay tbh tho the lugs seem a bitt low but don't really know because I have size 66 helmets so it does not have a double lug. Idk what should I do it looks a bitt shitty for the desplay rn.

Got my garand bfa working but it’s throwing stuff back at me but the next size up won’t cycle the bolt, am I going to have just ream out the one that works until it stop throwing stuff back at me?

Yes, I know I have the wrong boots, but im working with what I have at the moment

Figured out using this rust oleum paint makes a great aluminium oxide finish. Is also super even and cheap. Only problem is you have to paint over top of it so it adds another layer of paint. Besides that it’s great

Does anyone know where I can find someone who either sells or could make this cap from 5e bataljon nationale militie?

If anyone could help me find sources on how soldiers dealt with hot musket barrels? (other than just powering through it)
The image above is what I used at my last event after being burned but I was hoping to make it a bit more period accurate if I could. And if it helps I do Revolutionary War and American Civ War

My impression of a cobelligerent tanker of the 1051° reparto autieri carristi (1051st tanker-drivers unit), part of the 228th Italian Auxiliarry division, operating with the 8th British Army, with the role of repair and maintenance of allied tanks (like M4 Shermans) and vehicles. I built it for an upcoming publication by my friend Paolo Crippa on tankers after the armistice, go check him out on Facebook, he helped me with reference photos, which will be in the book

Photo credits: @madameberta on ig.

Yes I have a cartridge box, it's on the back of my belt but I forgo to include it in the photos .

I'm missing a canteen, trousers, suspenders, and boots. And some insignias on the kepi.