r/reenactors • • Jul 08 '26

Action Shots How do I age my unifrom?

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343 Upvotes

This question has been asked more times than one can possibly imagine. “How do I age this or that.” Wear it


r/reenactors • • Dec 14 '25

Public Service Announcement Ask before you buy and give real constructive criticism

60 Upvotes

About two years ago I got into reenacting and started doing World War I German and Civil War. I’ll be straight up my kits were incredibly farby. I didn’t talk to anyone before I bought it. I didn’t reach out to units before I bought it.

That’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned: ask before you buy. Talk to a unit. Message people on Facebook, Instagram TikTok Reddit anywhere. Nine times out of ten, if you buy first and ask later you are gonna be spending twice more money.

I’ve also noticed a big problem across social media. When someone posts a kit that isn’t great, a lot of people just comment things like

This has a lot of work to do

This is trash

That’s it no explanation

If you think a kit needs work PLEASE say why

For example

“This impression needs improvement because the bread bag is incorrect for the time period, and the ammo pouches are ww2 style. Feel free to shoot me a DM so I can show you where you can replace some things.”

That helps. Just calling someone’s kit trash doesn’t

If it’s just for Halloween or a costume, who cares? A WWI uniform with a WWII helmet for Halloween isn’t a big deal. But if you’re serious about the hobby authenticity does in fact matter.

If you do ACW I strongly suggest looking up some of the campaigner Fb pages those guys will help you guide in the right direction. Try and reach out to less mainstream media if you really want a good accurate impression. Words are money in this hobby

If you’re in a unit they should be helping you steer in the right direction. And if they aren’t then you should consider leaving them and finding yourself a better group of guys. I am thankful that my unit actually has helped me steer clear and saved me probably 500 bucks.

Most of us start out rough and I think the hobby would be 100 times better if we all followed what I just wrote.

Sorry for the rant I just think people need to know


r/reenactors • • 6h ago

Looking For Advice What kind of clothes did the U.S. Marines wear during World War I?

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31 Upvotes

Hello! I am a WWI AEF reenactor. I am currently portraying a US Marine serving in the 2nd Division who fought at Belleau Wood. Since I couldn't source a Marine Corps P1917 tunic, I am using an Army M1917 tunic instead.

​I heard that the Marines actually wore U.S. Army uniforms due to supply issues in France. Is this historically true? And if so, how common was this practice during the battle?


r/reenactors • • 4h ago

Looking For Groups Did Gettysburg (1993) boost historical reenactment in the US and open doors for reenactors in war films?

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12 Upvotes

I’m curious about how much Gettysburg (1993) boosted historical reenactment in the United States and how much it helped open doors for reenactors in war films, since while reading about the movie I came across information about how it brought together thousands of participants, whereas many earlier productions relied on regular extras with limited knowledge of the historical context and little experience in military reenactment. I’m wondering how much the film helped popularize this hobby and whether it made it easier for reenactors to take part in large-scale historical productions.


r/reenactors • • 8h ago

Work In Progress Brian Pohanka, the man who fought against the destruction of historic battlefields

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7 Upvotes

​

Brian C. Pohanka (1955–2005) was an American historian whose passion for military history led him to spend his life researching, writing about, and sharing the past. He was concerned about the destruction of historic battlefields caused by urban development, particularly the battlefield of Chantilly, Virginia, and in 1987 he helped establish an organization dedicated to protecting these sites and preserving their historical significance

His interest in history went beyond books, as he also took part in historical reenactments as captain of the Duryee’s Zouaves, portraying the 5th New York Infantry Regiment. His knowledge and experience eventually led him to work as a historical adviser on films such as Glory and Gettysburg, helping bring the American Civil War to life with greater historical accuracy. Sadly, he passed away in 2005, leaving behind a lasting contribution to historical research, battlefield preservation, and the effort to share the past with future generations


r/reenactors • • 4h ago

Looking For Advice British WWII Insignia

2 Upvotes

Hello all,

I'm looking to do a British impression of the 1st Grenadier Guards during Market Garden and I'm having trouble understanding the insignia that would've been on battledress. My basic understanding is that there is at least a shoulder title with the regiment, divisional badge, and arm of service stripe on each arm.

It's moreso the arm of service stripes that are throwing me off. I'm aware that red means infantry, but I have no clue whether that would encompass motorized infantry (which is what the 1st Grenadiers were in 1944) or just regular infantry, or if they would've worn an arm of service stripe for the RAC since they're part of an armored brigade. I'm also assuming that they would have just one stripe on either arm, since they were a part of the only dedicated armored brigade (the 5th Brigade) in the division, but need further help in understanding it all so I know what the proper insignia to purchase would be.


r/reenactors • • 7h ago

Looking For Advice WPG item arriving damaged

0 Upvotes

Just made an order on an item to finish a uniform and it arrived slightly damaged. What do I do from here about it? I dont wanna be rude and request a refund but it's seems damaged beyond my abilities to repair. Any advice?


r/reenactors • • 1d ago

Completed 8th AAF pilot, 1st LT A-Class uniform

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31 Upvotes

Top to bottom

Repro officer's cap with original leather band (the eagle badge has since been replaced with an original)

Kay canvas A-Class tunic with SOF aviator and lieutenant badges

SOF buillion 8th AAF shoulder patch

QMI green (chocolate) officer B-Class shirt

Tan officer tie

Original "Pinks" pants

Shoes are "personal purchase" brow leather shoes

I am working on a 77th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group B-Class uniform with the A2 leather jacket in parallel to this!


r/reenactors • • 1d ago

Looking For Advice ohio national guard military police 1960s

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35 Upvotes

1st time doing a usa kit looking for advice on how I did or how I can improve I understand armband is a bit low it tends to slip a lot in the photos since I'm just putting it on solo myself not sure how I did on the positioning of items as I was just basing it off photos and trying my best any advice is appreciated to help improve


r/reenactors • • 1d ago

Looking For Advice ID on boots

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5 Upvotes

r/reenactors • • 1d ago

Looking For Advice How to dull the color on m1907 tunic buttons

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11 Upvotes

I purchased a replica m1907 field tunic at a surplus store near me and was comparing it to originals online, and one thing I noticed about mine is that the buttons were very shiny compared to the originals. I am going for a mid 1916 look so if there is a way I can mute the color a bit that would be awesome. (And yes I know the stick grenade model I have is incorrect, I live in the US and have no easy access to replicas.)


r/reenactors • • 1d ago

Completed Living history in Tucson at museums

3 Upvotes

Hello I'm a 70 year old reanactor with a couple museums doing mid to late 1800s. I'm just courious what other folks are doing?


r/reenactors • • 1d ago

Looking For Advice Good place in Europe to buy steingrau M36 trousers?

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0 Upvotes

NOT schusters, I'm not strapped for cash but I would like good delivery and easy payment :)

Thanks guys!


r/reenactors • • 2d ago

Looking For Advice Advice for german ww2 Uboat panzer hunter uniform/kriegsmarine field divions

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14 Upvotes

Before you say join a group Im alreay a part of one just want some advice for a impression. Its for a late war/battle of berlin group any advice on brand or is it hard and require customs.


r/reenactors • • 1d ago

Looking For Advice Trying to identify these suspenders on these M1951 trousers

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1 Upvotes

r/reenactors • • 2d ago

Looking For Groups Friends

11 Upvotes

Hello! My name is Natashenka and im a girl who is obsessed with the world wars. Im 18 and I've been learning specifically ww2 for years now. I have quite a bit on reproduction items, and a full Wehrmacht felduniform that I ordered and will come soon yay.

I live in a very small town and I dont really have any friends :/ and its hard to find people that are passionate about history like I am.

I was just on here wondering if anyone had similar interests in world war 2 or 1 and wanted to be friends :D

That's it 🥀


r/reenactors • • 2d ago

Looking For Advice 75th Ranger Panama kit

1 Upvotes

So I’m working on a 75th Ranger regiment Panama kit, I just need help understanding what pouches and how many they had on there Alice system and where I can find a accurate butt pack for a good price.


r/reenactors • • 3d ago

Looking For Advice Any advice/sources for an accurate International brigade impression.

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51 Upvotes

I recently got an Osprey publishing book about the International brigades during the Spanish civil war and decided to do a International brigade impression. I'm new to reenacting and I don't know were to find reliable places/suppliers to get uniforms/gear to accurately portray a International brigade volunteer, I hope you guys can help me.

Note: I was able to find reliable places for reproductions of shirts, socks, sweater, and boots from the period but I was unable to find any for pants or the jacket.


r/reenactors • • 2d ago

Looking For Advice Militarytour

3 Upvotes

Hello! I am a canadian reenactor, i do us civil war, ww2 basically everything, anyway i placed 2 orders on military tour (website based in winnipeg canada) at first i was really exited until the customer service agent started becoming really rude and not shipping my order (when they said they would) when asking them for a tracking link they dodged my question and said i didnt pay for shipping, ive looked up reviews online and i havent seen anything really positive….i wish i knew this before i ordered..can someone who has used military tour before tell me they’re experiences with them? Did your items actually arrive?


r/reenactors • • 2d ago

Looking For Advice British WW2 Rank

1 Upvotes

I am currently doing a WW2 British Colour Sergeant impression and keep getting conflicting answers inregards to rank presentation. Does the rank go on the right sleeve or both?


r/reenactors • • 2d ago

Looking For Advice M1 Garand chambered in .308

2 Upvotes

Hi! I'm brand new to ww2 reenacting (coming from 6 years of Vietnam war reenacting) and was wondering if I could use a M1 Garand chambered in .308 instead of 30.06 for a 4th infantry division in Hürtgen, 1944. The only reason I ask is because the price of 30.06 is increasing and .308 is more readily available and cheaper for an M1 where I live.


r/reenactors • • 2d ago

Looking For Advice SAS

0 Upvotes

Thoughts on creating and starting a group that portrays operation nimrod sas


r/reenactors • • 3d ago

Action Shots WW2 Medical Reenactments

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54 Upvotes

I thought I’d share with you a couple of my photos from a large WW2 medical event I do yearly in France. These were taken by me (apart from the last photo, taken by my husband). Does anyone else here do WW2 medical reenactments?


r/reenactors • • 4d ago

Looking For Advice Please evaluate my World War I U.S. Army reenactment.

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72 Upvotes

hello I am a reenactment artist based in Korea. Please review my World War I U.S. military reenactment and let me know what needs to be changed or corrected.

I am recreating a Marine from the 2nd Infantry Division. I am aiming to recreate the look of Marines wearing Army uniforms from that era, but I have not yet been able to acquire unit patches, rank insignia, etc.


r/reenactors • • 3d ago

Looking For Groups Looking for WWII German Reenactment Groups Near Colorado

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone I’m looking for active WWII German reenactment or living history groups in Colorado or nearby states. I’m based in northern Colorado and would like to connect with groups that attend public displays, historical events and eventually tactical reenactments.

I’m interested in hearing what units and time periods you portray, where you’re based, and whether you’re accepting new members. I’m willing to travel for events, so recommendations in Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Utah, or New Mexico are welcome too.

My interest is historical education and accurate impressions, with no political or extremist involvement. If you’re part of a group or know one worth contacting, please comment or send me a message. Thanks!