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Post by sapper44 on Jul 16, 2011 14:01:16 GMT -8
Guys; I just got my next gen. m1915 from Hessen, and other than the arms being way to long and black plastic buttons it looks really great. I took the tunic to a Tailor and had the arms shortened for about $30, and I am going to hit the antique malls for some buttons. I am very new to WWI reenacting and had a couple of general questions. 1. Should I leave the generic crown shoulder board buttons or replace them with company number buttons? 2. The generic buttons are a kinda fake silver looking, should they be painted? Thanks; Christian
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Post by hwolf on Jul 17, 2011 11:07:21 GMT -8
Can you post some pics of the M15 bluse. I ordered the new generation 07/10 and it was pure junk (sent it back). In regards to your questions, the M15 should have generic shoulder board buttons, no company buttons. The color of the generic buttons should be repainted a feldgrau or brown. Cheers Dan Authenticity Officer IR23 GWHS
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Post by sapper44 on Jul 17, 2011 16:13:21 GMT -8
To give an idea the skirt comes to about mid thigh on me, it has two hook and eye clips at the neck, buttons need to be replaced, outer buttons need to be painted, liner is good with some hand stiching, and made from heavy wool. Christian
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Post by Marcus on Jul 18, 2011 7:38:23 GMT -8
I'm not seeing anything...is it just me?
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mg4514
New Member
364th Inf.
Posts: 23
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Post by mg4514 on Jul 18, 2011 14:40:56 GMT -8
Thank you so much for taking the time to post photos for us. Can we maybe see photos of the back of the tunic. I would like to see the placement of the belt hooks and the general layout of the tunics pattern. Thanks, Martin
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Post by sapper44 on Jul 18, 2011 19:23:02 GMT -8
I will get some tomorrow and post them. Christian
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Post by sapper44 on Jul 19, 2011 11:47:16 GMT -8
As requested; Front: Back; Tunic hooks back; Bottom of tunic from rear: Hope this is what is needed. Christian
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mg4514
New Member
364th Inf.
Posts: 23
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Post by mg4514 on Jul 19, 2011 18:50:52 GMT -8
Thank you again for taking the time to post these photos. As for the buttons I have heard that the civil war sutlers often carry the right type of horn buttons. Martin
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Post by Kruger on Jul 22, 2011 17:03:36 GMT -8
The belt hooks seem lower than the back buttons. Is it suppose to be that way? My understanding is they are to be align with the buttons.
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Post by kingkaiser on Jul 22, 2011 18:55:32 GMT -8
The buttons and hooks should all be at the same level, so that the equipment belt stays straight and even.
With the fabric not hanging absolutely straight and wrinkle free, the unevenness of the buttons and hooks may be an optical illusion. On the other hand, this may be one more design flaw.
With regards to replacing the buttons, since they are inside the flap and can't be seen, my personal bias is to not replace them. Finding the correct size horn, bone, or Bakelite buttons, in the correct color, is difficult. Also, unless you are a good tailor, sewing the buttons on is quite a task. Lining up the buttons with the button holes, and sewing a correct button stitch, can be quite a chore (if you want it to look nice and professionally done). If they are not sewn on correctly, the buttons will either be too loose or too tight, or won't line up correctly. Tailoring is really an art! On the other hand, if you have a good tailor available, and you find the appropriate buttons, then change them!
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Post by oskar2ndchev on Jul 23, 2011 6:28:28 GMT -8
And this is why I'd never buy anything from Hessen- when you consider the time and expense of doing all the necessary modifications, you might as well have bought the correct item from another vendor.
Hessen has a long way to go, as far as I'm concerned.
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Post by hwolf on Jul 23, 2011 9:35:33 GMT -8
Interesting... it appears that on the new M1915 bluse they did the same thing they did on the 1907/10 tunics...they lengthened the distance between the buttons so that the last button on the chest is in line with the pocket flaps. That is WAY to low. Its not very obvious since the buttons are covered up on the M1915 but it is a terrible issue on the 1907/10 tunics (see my other post on that in the Vendor review section) - it looks like crap when you have 2 buttons below your belt buckle. Try finding an original pic of that! Sad......I'd love to approve these tunics but when you have english trying to speak to Chinese the translation gets lost Dan
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Post by kingkaiser on Jul 23, 2011 11:43:26 GMT -8
What's even more sad (or discouraging), is that Hessen has always had the best prices (see below). They've always appeared to be very concerned about making things affordable for everyone.
Current prices for the M1915 Bluse Hessen: $160 Schipperfabrik: $250 GWM: $370
After all of the kinks and flaws are finally corrected, I wonder if Hessen's tunics will still be priced so low?
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Post by sapper44 on Jul 23, 2011 16:20:45 GMT -8
I happened to catch this M15 when they had a half price sale, with shipping it cost me $95.59. I think it will do until I can afford a Schipper. Christian
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Post by kingkaiser on Jul 23, 2011 22:38:28 GMT -8
Christian,
At that price, you got an outstanding deal! In my opinion, the inaccuracies are extremely minor, and unless pointed out, I bet the overwhelming majority of people wouldn't even notice. Your tunic is far better, and more accurate, than some that have previously been used in movies----for example, take a look at the 1979 version of "All Quiet on the Western Front". Additionally, at that price, you don't have to worry about having an overly expensive tunic getting beat up and ruined.
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