Reproduction Vickers water-jacket covers

[Richard Fisher]

Has anybody seen any of the reproduction Vickers water jackets covers that are being produced at the moment?

I have seen a couple of photographs of some and they seem to have eyelets too small or are the wrong length but I would be interested if anyone has actually had one and compared it with an original.

My Living History Group is contemplating doing an MG section of the Cheshire Regiment next year (Italian Theatre) and will need a couple of these to complete the equipment.

Thanks,

Rich

[emmagee]

Richard, I have one of the reproductions currently being made in England and while the quality is excellent I do think they are too long. Of course I don't have an original to which to compare it.

From many years of collecting militaria of various types I have learned that there are variations extant of nearly everything!

I do wonder however what they used as a pattern.

For Living History you could as easily do without it although they do appear to have been very commonly used.

Harry

[Richard Fisher]

I think, from conversations with some people, they were done from photographs and trying to copy the construction of an Australian one. I have seen several variations from full length without strap, two-thirds length with strap (which are halfway between the Aussie and Brit) but I have also seen the right length with far too small (the size of the Australian ones) eyelets for the string.

I know that I could get away without it but we try to represent the norm rather than the exception and if I can get them (made if necessary), I would like to.

Chat soon,

Rich

[emmagee]

Well if you do succeed in reproducing a British cover correctly I too would be interested in one...

Would also like to find someone to reproduce the elusive Lewis sling since no originals appear to exist outside museum collections.

[Gyles]

Out of curiosity, what does the Lewis sling look like?

[Richard Fisher]

gyles said:

Out of curiosity, what does the Lewis sling look like?

I don't know but I think it is like a rifle sling but wider (2-inch) and longer.

Perhaps you could be the first to post in the Lewis section and ask

Cheers,

Rich

[warren]

Richard: nice site, and now to the water jacket covers. I have the originals that some of the copies were made from. I will post some photo's of them later in the day, or if you want to email me on my sympatico email address, I can give you the dimensions.
Cheers,
Warren

[warren]

this is a repro...
sorry for the duplicate post. Just another dumb old guy on the kumputter

[warren]

and this is a real one...Canadian WW II issue.

[warren]

And this is an original Auzzie one

[Richard Fisher]

Thanks for those Warren. Who is manufacturing the repro shown?

Cheers,

Rich

[warren]

The repro was made by MARKSMAN SUPPLIES in Canada. This is the same company who made a bunch for Laider from my original and also makes the drag bags for the police and military. He does a nice job. Also makes the wrap for the Mk. IIS Sten.

[Richard Fisher]

Hi Warren,

I have just emailled them and asked what it would cost to ship four to the UK. Hope to hear from them soon.

Rich

[Richard Fisher]

I've ordered five so that I have four for my collection and then one spare (which I am happy to sell to anyone in the UK that wants one).

Regards

Richard

[rich]

Here's a pic of a Marksman Supplies cover on a friend's gun.
Please- no snide remarks about the firing technique or the setup of the gun. The pic was taken while messing around after a couple of gills of SRD and a Stella Artois or two at a Western Front Association meet this past fall and I was not quite "Fit for Duty!".

Rich


(And no, I wasn't the one who loaded the belt!)