Repro Y straps and belt questions.

[Paulkd]

Hi guys, ive bought a set of brown repro lufty straps from RAU I have a few questions.

Does the strap at the back hook straight onto the belt like the d-ring type do, or should i use one of those d-ring loops to fit it to the belt? The y-strap hooks are very tight and i'm going to have to pry them open a little to get them to hook onto my mp40 pouches as it is, never mind get a leather belt into that gap!


Oh and should the main belt be brown as well?

[paulmfjr2]

Regarding the belt loop for the back of the Y straps, depends on your size, I'm 6'3 and need the extra length, if you are shorter you may not need it. Brown leather work was an early/pre war usage, and saw a re-issue in mid '44 onwards. I allways advocate that you go for early war uniforms and equipment as those items would have seen use all through the war, and very rarely look out of place.

[Paulkd]

Thanks, I'll pry those metal hooks open to get the leather in, I'm 5ft8 (ish)!

I bought a sumpfmuster rifle bandoleer (probably miltek) is it a fantasy piece?

[paulmfjr2]

Yes, total fantasy!!!! I hate when people manufacture total fantasy stuff and don't mention it in the description!!!!, go for splinter or blue/grey .

[dagda]

Im with Paul on this one! FJ straps tend to be short for the taller fellow! And if you are running around and dont havre the d rings forces the cartridge belt up under the ribcage which is quite uncomfortable!! Oh by D rings I mean the squarish ones! They are mostly black, but the Bundesgrenshutz have them in brown, but its a bit of a search for them!! Black ones can sanded a bit and some brown shoe polish sorts it!!

[Paulkd]

I have black ones already, i dont use em for anything so out with the brown polish it is, Oh and I guess i need a brown belt leather!

[Gliderinf]

I'm sure Sadler does brown ones. (D loops)

[dagda]

Its just hard to get square D rings! (as oppossed to proper D rings, which I use to hang my canteen and waterbottle off,less stress on the bread bag!))

[paulmfjr2]

[quote="dagda"]Im with Paul on this one! FJ straps tend to be short for the taller fellow! And if you are running around and dont havre the d rings forces the cartridge belt up under the ribcage '

Don't forget that the belt is supposed to sit higher than the modern day jean belt, I have seen some pics where the belt is in the lower rib cage area. Take alook at this smart fellow...........

[dagda]

I know cartridge belts were worn higher,however without D rings on my belt my ribs get mushed!! Long body!! Just the way it is!!

[Paulkd]

thanks for the input everyone! My only reference book on FJ is the uwe Feist one (and thats what sparked me getting an impression together).

The pics in there seem to show the straps worn clipped onto the belt, and very uncomfortable it looks, the blokes are deploying a pak40.

[simon]

Paulkd....you mentioned bending the Y-straps clips....take care and do this slowly or heat the clip in hot water first as some of them have a tendancy to snap if you are over strenuous with them

[Paulkd]

yes as things are the clips are so tight they wont hook onto anything!

Also the fest book does say that rifle bandoleers wre made in sumpfmuster, but does not show any, this book is of course a few years old, that was an error then?

[dagda]

Remenber bits of kit have d rings as part of them, ie medic pouches, ammo pouches etc!!

[paulmfjr2]

Also the fest book does say that rifle bandoleers wre made in sumpfmuster, but does not show any, this book is of course a few years old, that was an error then?[/quote]

Yes total bogus, same for sumpfmuster helmet covers. There are a couple in the collectors market making the high end collectors scratch their heads but not one original photo showing one or mentioned in any official paperwork of the period.