A Beginner's Guide to British Wartime Battledress - Reenacting Tips

A quick look at the three basic battledress patterns.

[@peterkeane7767]

We were still wearing the Blue version of this when I joined the R.A.F. in 1973! Personally I hated them,uncomfortable and a pig to keep 'Parade' Sharp at Swinderby,14 creases in all if memory still intact!A particular peeve for me was (that being a 'big' Lad for my age) I was often detailed to open/close hanger doors which entailed using a large crank handle.Every time I did the strain on the buttons that connected the 'Blouse' to the Trousers at the rear would result in their ripping through the button holes and require an awful lot of stiching up,that ate into essential NAAFI times in the evening!The 'New ' No.2 dress was superior material but the 'Blouse' was like something 'International Rescue's Thunderbirds' would have worn and being on joint Fleet Air Arm Base at times we took intense 'Flak' from the F.A.A. 'Matelots'!

[@RiflemanMoore]

BD was seriously outdated by the '70s. Mind you I'm not sure the '72 Pattern 'Thunderbird' suit was really a suitable replacement!

[@105alatorre]

@@RiflemanMoore do you plan on making a video on denim uniforms?

[@bridekirk]

Really Helpful. Answered so many questions for my new re enacting involvement Thanks !

[@RiflemanMoore]

No worries, glad you found it useful!

[@michaelamos4651]

Great video as usual. Find the whole story of British battledress fascinating The Osprey book on the subject is great.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thank you! I plan to do a video, or videos at some point in the future detailing the whole scope of battledress development.

[@zaynevanbommel5983]

Rifleman Moore your are a font of useful information thanks

[@zaynevanbommel5983]

They might be itchy but they were warm when wet and hard wearing most people wore shirts underneath the battle dress

[@lib556]

another informative video.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Glad you found it informative.

[@OCGangsta]

Just wondering, my great grandfather was in the Shropshire liggt infantry and i was wondering what battledress he wouls have wore? The 1930s one or the 1940s one? He was in the army from the 1930s so I'm not sure if he was reissued any new uniform to replace his old one.

[@sharondryden340]

Could you make or recommend a video on where the patchs should be placed on the jacket for regular army paras so on

[@scottchristie625]

Very helpful, thank you. Please do a video on the denim uniforms if you have examples. Cheers.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Something for the future, certainly.

[@scottchristie625]

Your videos have helped me a lot as I am indeed an amateur here in the States but have been collecting pattern 37 web gear for years and would like to add uniforms and other field gear to my collection.

[@RiflemanMoore]

I'm very glad they've been of use!

[@Briselance]

Thank you for this video, rifleman. :-)

[@RiflemanMoore]

Most welcome!

[@kevinofishero]

What’s the biggest difference between with the 1946 pattern? Doesn’t seem to be a huge amount out there in the web...

[@Grahame59]

I have a genuine 1940 pattern BD blouse (says 1940 pattern on the label). Lined collar, concealed buttons, pocket pleats but it has the early 37 pattern type buckle. I presume the manufacturer was simply using up stocks of older buckles?

[@RiflemanMoore]

Absolutely there will be some cross over of such components between patterns.

[@hardalarboard8876]

I seem to have an odd mix and match one? its has 4 commando shoulder titles and is a odd deep green

[@kevinofishero]

Great video.. Quick newbie question: can an original South African 1940 pattern Jacket be used for British reenacting or is the colour completely different?

[@RiflemanMoore]

As I remember South African made BD is very similar in shade but the quality of manufacture tends to give it away.

[@RandallSmith89]

I own a reproduction P37 Battledress blouse and I'm looking for proper buttons to replace the incorrect ones any ideas where to look for them

[@petercherrington8512]

Thanks, have you ever done a ww2 north Africa British army uniform video? Nice to meet you at the victory show 😁👍

[@Darrenbatteson.531]

Had a repro 37 battledress trousers had to replace brass buttons inside with plastic ones where braces were due to buttons coming off whist wearing the trousers with braces on.

[@RiflemanMoore]

It depends on the level of accuracy you want to maintain but I'd suggest sticking with brass buttons. That's what they had on early BD, not plastic, adding some extra reinforcing stitching usually does the trick. As I said in the video there is no '1937 Pattern', do you mean Battledress, Serge?

[@Darrenbatteson.531]

40 pattern

[@thra5herxb12s]

The cheaply made brass buttons on repro uniforms are very sharp and rip the stitches to bits. A bit sad I know, but I took all mine off and sanded them smooth. The originals were probably tumbled in a drum to round off the edges.

[@kromoism]

Excellent video as always, my question is how you store and care for your collection?

[@RiflemanMoore]

Many thanks! At present the BD is boxed, in the future I'd like to keep it hung up. Regular checks for signs of moths or other pests are essential, along with mothballs and other preventative measures.

[@morasboy]

@@RiflemanMoore I personally use chestnut´s in the wardrobe for moth prevention. Just need to replace them once a year...

[@pocketrocketrailway]

were patterns mixed? like austerity pattern trousers and 1940 pattern blouse?

[@raseli4066]

Does the uniforms change in colour as the war progressed?

[@iqMain]

Any other alternatives to buying original British or repro like Greek or Dutch, I dont really have the money for British or repro. How similar are the Greek/Dutch BD to the British?

[@plasmadrone3123]

how about the post-war ones? I still have no idea how to differ them

[@RiflemanMoore]

That's a topic for another video.

[@mattmagee180]

What about the denims?

[@RiflemanMoore]

That's a topic for another video.

[@MaxSluiman]

I would wear this in the 80 ies as a kid playing war. With a wooden stengun. The Dutch army would wear this untill the late 60 ies.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Battledress was still on issue to the British Army until the very early '60s but not these patterns.

[@rockywr]

@@RiflemanMoore 1971 issued B.D. trousers for Drill on thursday mornings - to Army Apprentices at Harrogate until around April 72 when denims were used instead and no more B.D. thank god. I bet you've got enough stuff by now to open your own museum ?

[@TimDutch]

Good evening. Did the British parachute brigade exclusive use the 1940 pattern or did they also use the one from 1937? Kind regards, Tim Buruma

[@RiflemanMoore]

Do you mean the Parachute Regiment?

[@TimDutch]

@@RiflemanMoore yes. I actually had a question on top of that, if there where furthur differences between the glider and parachute troops.

[@TheSexhaver2625]

I have a p37 where it has a p37 buckle, early brass buttons, flat shoulder board buttons, and every that a p37 would... but it has a lined collar. I’m confused on when it would have been produced.

[@RiflemanMoore]

It isn't a 1937 Pattern, as said in the video there is no such thing! Even if the label is missing there should be a W ^ D and letter stamp which will indicate the year.

[@TheSexhaver2625]

Rifleman Moore I own a lot of original feldblouses but I’m brand new to battle dresses, this is the original link if you could help me identify it www.selles-military-antiques.com/e-shop/grande-bretagne/vetements/6712-blouson-battledress-pattern-37-taille-12-anglais.html Thank you so much if you could.

[@TheSexhaver2625]

Rifleman Moore the label is worn off and there is no visible “W^D” to indicate the date any wear on the battle dress

[@RiflemanMoore]

That is a bit concerning, there should definitely be an acceptance stamp. The thing to do would be to compare it to a 1940 Pattern and see if the cut, set of the pockets etc. is slightly different. That would help determine if it's a BD Serge, with a lining added to the collar or a very early 1940 Pattern.

[@TheSexhaver2625]

Rifleman Moore the cuts in the battledress are of the first “p37” pattern, was it possible that they just upgraded older stock to the new specifications like the Germans did?

[@fz0913]

Where can I get the basics for a British ww2 impression that ships to the U.S.? I'm having trouble finding some for some reason

[@RiflemanMoore]

I can't really advise on that I'm afraid, there's no one-stop-shop for kit really, if you want to end up with a decent setup.

[@Andyb2379]

Solider of fortune or epic Militaria

[@samefacebutadifferentperson]

what microphone are you using?

[@francismoncayo9390]

How do I wash my tunic? Any care I should be aware of?

[@RiflemanMoore]

I'd generally advise dry cleaning.

[@africauntamed7889]

hello guys where can i buy this jacket

[@thebuffs3794]

Good evening Rifleman Moore. I was wondering if you could help? Is this list accurate for item's you would have been issued in the mid 40s 1942/43. BD serge trousers & blouse Boots, ankle Shoes, canvas Anklests, web FS cap / GS cap Cap comforter Mk2 Brodie helmet Drawers cellular/woollen Vets woollen Socks worsted Shirt, wool Jersey / pullover Overalls denim, Blouse and trousers Greatcoat Gloves knitted Braces Clasp knife ID disks AB 64 pay book Holdall - ( laces, comb, toothbrush, razor, shaving brush ) Housewife (fitted) Soap Towel Enamelled mug KFS Emergency ration Mess tins & cover Anti-Gas cape Ground sheet / rain cape Webbing belt Braces x2 Bayonet frog, scabbard and bayonet Basic pouch x2 Haversack Pack 1908 Supporting straps x2 Shoulder straps x2 Entrenching tool & carrier Water bottle & carrier Many thanks

[@RiflemanMoore]

I'll double check and get back to you! I have noticed you've posted a lot of such comments on videos which isn't a problem but a better place to get in touch with me to ask would be on the channel's FB page! facebook.com/RiflemanMoore/ If it's possible for you to contact me there?

[@thebuffs3794]

@@RiflemanMoore thank you for the reply ! Sorry to keep bombarding you with questions. Unfortunately I do not have a Facebook account, although I do have Email. My email address is [e-mail] , i hope this helps.

[@MultiWatcher1000]

What was difference between infantry uniform and commando uniform ?

[@mickwarnie8707]

Nothing except insignia and prefered head gear

[@harryb8945]

Could you possibly go over the different options for buying BD. e.g the different reproduction makers. I understand you may not have every make but even just talking about the main points would possible be useful.

[@RiflemanMoore]

There's a simple answer, Panther Store, I wouldn't recommend anything else. It's the only repro BD I've seen which can really be mixed and matched with original and look right. Also its all I have, I try to focus on original kit as much as possible so buying multiple repro BD suits would be pointless.

[@Sleepyhollow77]

@@RiflemanMoore wpg not on par with panther store?

[@pomjon]

@@RiflemanMoore Hello, what are the best options now Panther is unfortunately no longer able to do battledress?

[@RamonAnt]

@@TimDutch Yes you are at the good address. Panther-Store BD is going on. All remained same.

[@thebuffs3794]

Isn't pat 46 trousers, pat 40 utility trousers but with buttons for braces ?

[@RiflemanMoore]

Quite so, they include extra buttons for braces, that is 12 rather than 6.

[@thebuffs3794]

Rifleman Moore , thank you for your response

[@hwntwww]

Material? Inside label?

[@RiflemanMoore]

Those aren't fully forme questions I'm afraid.

[@user-co4rs7ob1t]

Имею похожую ,айки, бельгийской армии 1975 года..

[@HellYeahBigKev]

wore these in blue ATC aweful kit.

[@Pep_1992]

The panther store battledress uniforms are the best reproduction I've ever seen. However in reality no one in Canada can really afford them. Unless they want to only eat no name brand KD for a month or be homeless... well at least the wool would keep you warm in your cardboard box 🤣

[@thegreatcommisar2924]

but... but... they don't talk about the 8th army summer wear... the possible worst uniform choice of the war, but it is the cheapest to reenact

[@RiflemanMoore]

What?

[@keithdurose7057]

The idea of buttoning the jacket to the pants was totally idiotic! Would it be possible to mention all of the pockets when describing the items of clothing, please? Otherwise, another great video.

[@TheInnacity]

wore that shortened cheap tunic as surplus in borstals , they where cold horrible and the shirt hung out becuase the style of trousers had changed to hipster style not high waisted ,but we where convicted juveniles b=not worthy of being treated with dignity or respect.