Falklands1982

From TA days in the early 70s all I recall having in my pockets on exercises was a pair of gloves, plus everyone had their preferred exy snacks, eg a Mars bar or two, packet of Rolos, ginger nuts etc. Mine was a packet of dried apricots and a slab of marzipan. It was easy to burn off those calories at age 20, not quite so easy now....

Are the gloves you are referring to the 70s NI gloves or wollen ones? Also I'm surprised the rolos and stuff didn't melt in your pockets?:-X

Believe it or not. The Standard British Issue KFS, was a 'Normal' table top set in stainless steel.

Nothing special, no clip together facility. To prevent rattling & keeping them together for convenient stowage.

 

You DID however, get with your green rubberised canvas. A 'Tube' in the same material with a flap & a green cotton Tie strap.

 

The Knife was etched with manufactured details on the blade. Also N.A.T.O Stock number & Date of manufacture.

The Fork & Spoon had the same info stamped/cast on the rear of the implements.

 

Re: Carried in pockets. A clasp knife, usually on a lanyard. Brown Plastic covered Notebook, SOXMIS Card & MOD90 ID Card. Sweets (Stickies coloqualy) to suit personal choice. Some times a First Aid dressing. If it wasn't taped to your webbing waistbelt. They were cumbersome & bulky/Unpopular to be carried in a pocket though!

 

Hope this helps you.

 

Regards: Mike.

Thanks for the reply Mike, I'll have to be on the look out for a set of KFS when I next see some. Would you also carry things like range cards and rations etc? Regards Lewis

Have 2 pairs so could possibly/maybe let one pair go but have no idea of what these are fetching these days.

Last time I saw pre-metric they can go up to around 40 quid on fleabay depending on condition and size.

I joined in '76 and was issued with a set of KFS along with a green plastic mug. Whilst in training, that year, the prescribed method of marching to the cook house at mealtimes, was to hold the KFS and Mug in the left hand positioned behind ones back. This left the right arm free for saluting and swinging in the correct Military fashion

Hi,

Just a curious question was there ever an issue KFS set during the 1970s-1980s?

They will get you much closer to an answer Lewis but there does not appear to be a listing of trouser sizes and commensurate actual measurements available. So a bit of estimation from available sources will be necessary....

Thanks i had a quick flick through the thread and it does show some useful information, from previous experiences i have had jungle trousers that have been sold as a 34" waist but is impossible to get on and are more like a 20" waist :cheesy:

And here is the more successful response that you are looking for...almost!

http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?33446-1970-s-Tropical-dpm-trouser-sizing

Thanks Eaglehurst ill check it out,

Regards,

Lewis

Hi,

Does anyone know the sizes for the 70-80s jungle trousers/jacket sizes or have a chart with them on.

The ones i am refering to are the pre-metric sized ones for example size 16 in jungle trousers.

Regards,

Lewis

G'day all,

 

Thanks for the validation!

 

I am one of a small team that are restoring a few tanks.

I heard this is the best place to find spare parts, tips and experienced like minded individuals...

 

Currently I need help with a Staghound and a T-55 (mainly the engine).

 

I'll be posting in the Russian post war area looking for a few things.

 

Cheers all

 

Hooroo!

Hello,

Welcome to the forum,

Are you currently building/restoring a T-55 Tank,

Regards,

Lewis

Only a couple handed in recently by ex-cadets.

 

Send me a message with any offers but I would prefer collection. Obviously not expecting much judging from the replies.

Hi are all the GS Bergens you have the same or do you have any early types?

Regards,

Lewis

Thanks edward for dropping me a link to the thread.

I have been reading through it and is very interesting to see others views on a reproduction 1960 pattern.

Thanks,

Lewis

Scotch Harry I have a non issue DPM 60 Patt Smock,no idea where it is now but sure I posted it up here when I bought it if any help.

Thanks for the reply that is very interesting to here is there any details about it that would make it non issue?

Also does it have a label, pictures would be nice please if you have any?

Thanks Enfield for the reply.

That is quite interesting to hear did you manage to spot the maker of the jacket?

Speaking of which i do own a copy (close approximation) of a 1960 pattern smock the early type, which is why i opened the thread to see if there is a company that makes a repro.

Hi,

Just curious to know if a reproduction 1960 pattern smock in either olive or dpm has ever been created.

Would be interesting to know if there is one,

=Scotch Harry;458960Ebay recently has been swamped with SAS Bergens and prices have dropped a LOT so now is a good time to buy(but not sell as I found out:undecided::undecided::undecided:) and SAS Bergen.

Yeah there has been alot poping up on ebay usually they get snagged by brokenarrow1971 who relists them at stupid prices:wow:

[=Edward53;459344]Hard to say, as this kind of information tends to be thought of as ephemeral and gets binned without anyone considering the possible historical interest. One can only presume they tested both types and found regular ddpm to work better. There's no documentation that I know of, so I wrote my own mini history in as much (some would say mind-numbing) detail as I could here:

http://iacmc.forumotion.com/t9823-identification-guide-to-gulf-war-one-militaria

Thanks edward for the information and the link ill take a look.

Lewis

Edward53; It seems unlikely. "Sparse" ddpm only appears on the first desert uniforms (1990-91) and some slightly later privately-made windproofs that copied the gaberdine SAS/Arctic smock. "Sparse" ddpm was presumably a brief experiment that was considered unsatisfactory, as no further issue items were made in it. Going by the polycotton of this sniper smock and this maker who doesn't show up on combat clothing before the end of the 90s at earliest, that print variant was well out of use by the time of its manufacture.

Thanks Edward for the information, just threw me as to why they would not want to use Sparse camo print it would seem to be more effective than the other print?

Thanks,

Lewis

Hi, Thanks for the replies and such a warm welcome.

I look forward to speaking with all of you in the future and providing opinions and info on topics.

In regards to my user name, Falklands1982 was chosen as i collect British Militaria from early 1950s-1990 and Falklands war is a impression and collection which i am doing aswell as it being my most interested confilict.

also you can call me Lewis instead if it helps.

wdbikemad:Obtained this recently.........desert DP sniper smock........same as the temperate version apart from the colour.........note that no NSN is detailed on the label as yet be be announced...........seems that the garment was never subsequently put into production due to MTP cammo coming on-stream............there is now an MTP sniper smock in production and on issue........:-D

Just wondering did they ever make a sniper smock in the sparse desert print?

Hi,

I am a new member to the hmvf forums, i have been on it before and came across this thread and just wanted to add my bit to it.

as it has already been mentioned by others that what you have is most certainly a GS Bergen and is a 1980s type the earlier 72 pattern GS Bergen i believe had a different designation and also had different clips instead of pull closiers.They are different to the SAS Para bergen as i believe the GS to be a 75 litre bergen and the SAS bergen to be a 120 litre bergen they both use the same frame, which the one in the pictures posted does not have.

They are quite hard to find and without the frame go for anything up to 20 pounds, however if it is a 72 pattern one it will probably fetch for much more.

Hope this helps,

Lewis

Hello,

Just joined the otherday and wanted to say how great of a site this is and am looking forward to speaking to all of you in the future.