German Trench Art

[grenadierwerner]

I've been looking into procuring a lighter, postcards, and other accessories that might further my impression and give whatever part of the trench I occupy a more realistic, "lived-in" feeling. While I've been doing my own research on the matter, if anyone has suggestions on what non-essential parts of an impression I should look into, I'd be interested in hearing them.

[kingkaiser]

Aug 20, 2013 16:48:13 GMT -8 grenadierwerner said:

I've been looking into procuring a lighter, postcards, and other accessories that might further my impression and give whatever part of the trench I occupy a more realistic, "lived-in" feeling. While I've been doing my own research on the matter, if anyone has suggestions on what non-essential parts of an impression I should look into, I'd be interested in hearing them.

Here are some items that you might consider:
---Trench lighter or wooden matches in a match safe. These may be handy to light the fuses on your grenades. WWI trench art "Got Mit Uns" match safes show up all of the time on E-Bay, and they are often reasonably priced.
---Sewing kit.
---Gun cleaning kit. Gewehr 98 cleaning kits are not available, and real period examples are virtually nonexistent. What actually was included in the original kits is not really known. A weighted string pull through, with a bore brush attached at the unweighted end, would be appropriate. You could also get a small wooden handled bristle brush to clean the bolt and chamber, as well as a small metal oiler. Ballistol is a period correct oil. These items can be stored in a small linen "ration bag", along with some patches and a cleaning rag. Alternatively, Yugoslavian M48 Mauser kits are readily available. They are fairly cheap, and probably resemble the kits that would have been used at the time.
---Toiletry kit, with period correct items.
---Soldbuch.
---Period wallet.
---Identity tag.
---Boot cleaning brush.
---Clothes cleaning brush.
---Gloves.
---Scarf.
---Toque.
---Small first aid kit.

These are the items that were often carried in the Tornister. Randall Chapman and Curt Schmidt, from J.R. 63, wrote an outstanding article on how to pack the Tornister. This article is extremely helpful, and it will give you some ideas for items that you can bring that will make your space seem more realistic and lived in. Many of these items you might even find useful. Here's the link to the article:

www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.resist.com%2Fupdates%2F2010%2FSEP_10%2FTornisterBackPack.pdf&ei=Vj8UUvubIdGAygG2jYDQDQ&usg=AFQjCNHiOzdZIvELdztCwht5vpWxpIjZHQ&sig2=3cRxwAdabyFhGBVrDhi_qg&bvm=bv.50952593,d.dmg

[1886lebel]

As I understand the original WWI Gewehr 1898 cleaning kits comprised the following items ...
1. 1 weighted string pull through, with a bore brush attached at the unweight end.
2. 1 small wooden handled bristle brush.
3. 1 small metal oiler filled with Ballistol.
4. 1 wooden chamber cleaning tool.
5. 2 small rod extension sections to fit the cleaning rod (these were normally issued to squad leaders only).
6. 1 bore brush to fit the cleaning rod extensions (these were normally issued to squad leaders only).
These items were either stored in a small linen "ration bag" or metallic box along with some patches and a cleaning rag.

I will have to find the post that a collector posted of these items on one of the gun forums I belong to, he showed all these with pictures

Patrick

[1886lebel]

I have a complete set of the standard French Firearms WW1 cleaning kit that was supposed to be issued to every French poilu but in reality was only ever issued to an entire French Squad that consisting of 4 to 6 men, these kits were usually only given to the Squad Leader and were to be carried in the Mle.1893 Haversack (packpack).
It consisted of the following items ....
1. Boite Graisse (grease box), this is a double sided container which has hinged lids on it. In one compartment grease is stored and in the other the Ficelle et Chiffon section (string pull through), the brass jag for cleaning rod and extra small bits of rag.
2. Brosse de Nettoyage de Fusil (rifle cleaning brush) with leather cord attached.
3. Ficelle et Chiffon section (string pull through) with extra bits of rag
4. one-third section of the Baguette de Nettoyage (cleaning rod) of which every poilu was issued one.
5. Boitier du Necessaire (cleaning kit container) this is where all the small tools are stored into and it also has a slot on the top where the Tournevis' (srewdrivers) fit into so that the container may be used as a handle for the srewdriver blades. A Huiler (oiler) which the top of this oiler has a plug which may be unscrewed and there is a small leather washer on it to prevent it from leakage. Also stored inside was a couvillon Articul (articulated bore brush) which was tied to the Ficelle et Chiffon section and pulled through the barrel; the Tournevis's (screwdrivers) of which these fit all the various slotted screws located on the Lebel and the one on the left has a double pronged split blade which fits the small double slotted French Ordnance screws; the Trousse (truss) which is made of a black wool and has seperate dividers to place the Tournevis' into so that when they are stored in the Boitier du Ncessaire they will not slip through the slot in the top; the Chasse-Goupilles (pin punch) which is used to drive the different pins in the weapon out and finally the Spatule Currette en Bois (grease and oil mixing tool) which also doubled as a carbon scraper.
All of these items were stored in a small linen "ration bag"

I used to have pictures of all this but lost them ... here is one though


Patrick

[kingkaiser]

Patrick,

Thank you!!!! I've searched all over for details regarding Gewehr 98 cleaning kits. None of the "bibles", including the Jürgen Kraus and Johan Somers books, seem to have this information (unless I just missed it!)

I've seen photos of various models of original oilers, "tobacco tins", and specific cloth carrying bags, but I've never seen a complete kit. The WWI "tobacco tin" was supposed to open up on only one end, unlike the WWII variety. Also unlike the WWII variety, the lid wasn't hinged. From what I understand, the specific cloth carrying bag didn't become standard issue until 1917 or 1918, and their use was continued during the Weimar era by the Reichswehr. These bags had belt loops, as well as a small outer pocket for the muzzle cover. I suppose that prior to the introduction of these specific bags, most soldiers used whatever cloth bag they could find for their cleaning kits.

Again, Thanks!!!!

[Larry Dunn]

Perhaps we should start a new thread on rifle cleaning kits (and make it a stickie). The information on Austro-Hungarian cleaning kits is quite vague as well. From what I've been able to ferret out, every soldier was issued a kit to be carried in the breadbag. The carrying case was cloth pouch, similar to the Yugo M48 kit. Kits contained a pull-through (details unknown) a brush (again, details unknown), and it is implied that there was an oiler and a tin of grease ("Waffenfett"). There was also a 3-section cleaning rod, issued to three members of a squad, to make sure that all three pieces were never in the same location at the same time.

-Larry

[oskar2ndchev]

For the Germans, there was no issue "kit" per se.