2nd Panzer Division
CONTACT:
hawkml@bentonrea.com
marcin@oregontrail.net

  		2nd Panzer Division
2nd Panzer Division

2nd Panzer Division
AUTHENTICITY STANDARDS

Philosophy:

It is the philosophy and goal of the RPS German forces to present the most authentic impression possible. This starts with the acquisition of the highest quality, most authentic uniforms, equipment, and weapons available. All of these items are now readily available as originals, or high-quality reproductions.

We realize that high-quality reproductions and originals are expensive, but the fiinancial burden must be assumed for the sake of authenticity. For the most part, home-made and converted items are no longer acceptable to serious reenactors. Note: When using the word "reproduction" or "repro" it is assumed that the items mentioned are of the highest quality, virtually indistinguishable from originals. Also note that although we portray mainly late war (post-D Day) scenarios, we most often recommend earlier models of uniforms and equipment to allow use in earlier war scenarios should the opportunity arise. We also recommend reproductions over originals in many cases. The reason for this is that many originals are too expensive, too rare, or too fragile for actual use.

1. Headgear:
    A. Helmets:
  1. Recommended: Original M35 (Single decal), M40 (Single decal), M42 (No decal) with reproduction liner and chin strap. Paint should be an approved dark grey or field grey. Decals may also be reproduction.
  2. Acceptable: Properly converted Czech, BGS, Norwegian, etc. if approved by the commander.
  3. Unacceptable: Spanish helmets, plastic or fiberglass reproductions.
    B. Hats:
  1. Recommended: M43 cap with two buttons and appropriate insignia (trapezoid).
  2. Acceptable: M43 cap with one button and appropriate insignia. M38 cap with appropriate insignia. M42 cap with appropriate insignia. Schirmmutze or "crusher" cap with appropriate insignia for officers and NCOs only.
  3. Unacceptable: Any hat not specifically authorized by the commander.
  4. Suggestion: Purchase your cap from the same supplier as your tunic for the best possible match in material and color.
2. Uniforms:
    A. Tunics:
  1. Recommended: Janke. M40, M42, M36 or M43 (in order of preference).
  2. Acceptable: An Der Front, Lost Battalions, or New Columbia. M40, M42, M36 or M43 (in order of preference).
  3. Unacceptable: M44 tunics from any maker. Swedish, Swiss, East German, Bundeswehr, converted or unconverted. Any other tunic not specifically approved by the commander.
    B. Trousers:
  1. Recommended: Janke Keilhosen (preferred) or earlier pattern trousers.
  2. Acceptable: An Der Front, Lost Battalions, or New Columbia - Keilhosen (preferred) or earlier pattern trousers. Properly converted Swedish trousers are allowed only for recruits and teenagers, and must be upgraded at the earliest opportunity.
  3. Unacceptable: Swedish (unconverted), Swiss, East German, Bundeswehr. Any other trousers not specifically approved by the commander.
  4. Suggestion: Purchase your trousers from the same supplier as your tunic for the best possible match in material and color.
    C. Footwear:
  1. Recommended: Reproduction ankle boots with gemaschen (gaiters), reproduction jackboots. All boots should have hobnails, toe plates, and heel plates ("horseshoes").
  2. Acceptable: Other period-style ankle boots with gemaschen. Properly converted Swiss mountain boots. Modern plain-toed military boots with gemaschen for recruits and teenagers only, and must be upgraded at the earliest opportunity.
  3. Unacceptable: Modern East German or Russian jackboots, jungle boots, jump boots, modern hiking boots. Any rubber boots. West German gaiters.
    D. Shirt:
  1. Recommended: Reproduction mouse grey, long-sleeved, pullover knit under shirt with collar and two breast pockets.
  2. Acceptable: Reproduction cotton "light weight" service shirt in the same style as above. Reproduction tropical (Afrika Korps) shirt. "Sports shirt" (tank top) with appropriate Wehrmacht eagle insignia. Swedish "henley" shirts and West German olive-green shirts are allowed only for recruits and teenagers and must be upgraded at the earliest opportunity.
  3. Unacceptable: Any shirt not specifically approved by the commander. This includes t-shirts, sweatshirts and most modern shirts.
    E. Suspenders/belt:
  1. Recommended: Reproduction German army style suspenders. Reproduction German army style belt for trouser styles with belt loops, or the integral belt found in some trouser styles.
  2. Acceptable: Modern or period European suspenders with leather, cloth or elastic tabs or loops for fastening to the suspender buttons in the trousers. Canvas suspenders.
  3. Unacceptable: Modern suspenders obviously not period, or those with clips for attaching to the trousers.
    F. Socks:
  1. Recommended: Reproduction German army style grey socks with white size rings.
  2. Acceptable: Any wool or wool blend socks in medium to dark grey.
  3. Unacceptable: Any socks obviously not period correct including "hunter" style wool socks with red, orange, or other colored ring, white athletic socks, knee-high or calf-high socks, etc.
3. Field Gear:
    A. "Y-straps":
  1. Recommended: Reproduction infantry style y-straps with the auxiliary straps for the A-frame pack. Y-straps my be "continental" (leather) or "tropical" (webbing) type. Leather y-straps should be made with the rough side of the leather facing out, and in black only. Officers and full-time mounted troops may wear the so-called officers or mounted y-straps that lack the auxiliary straps.
  2. Acceptable: Reproduction "mounted", "officer", or "Luftwaffe" style y-straps. These are allowed only for recruits and teenagers and must be upgraded at the earliest opportunity. Black leather only.
  3. Austrian, Czech, etc. y-straps. It does not matter if you have removed the padding from the Austrian y-straps, they are still unacceptable. Any home-made or converted y-straps unless specifically authorized by the commander.
    B. Belt:
  1. Recommended: Reproduction black leather rough side out belt with buckle. Web "tropical" style belt with buckle. Buckle may be natural steel or aluminum, or painted medium-dark grey, German dark green, or German olive green.
  2. Acceptable: Properly converted Bundeswehr horsehide belt. Buckle must be as listed above.
  3. Unacceptable: Any belt not listed above unless specifically authorized by the commander.
    C. Canteen:
  1. Recommended: Reproduction or original "continental" style canteen with metal or bakelite cup (continental with metal cup is preferred).
  2. Acceptable: "Tropical" style canteen. "Mountain" or "medical" style canteen. East German canteen and cover with cup replaced by correct metal or bakelite cup. Additionally, all riveted leather straps should be removed and correct straps sewn on.
  3. Unacceptable: Unconverted East German canteen, cup and cover. Any other canteen unless specifically authorized by the commander.
    D. Breadbag:
  1. Recommended: Original or reproduction breadbag in green-grey canvas. With or without leather reinforced belt loops. Correct style "tropical" breadbag.
  2. Acceptable: East German or early West German breadbags are allowed only for recruits and teenagers and must be upgraded at the earliest opportunity.
  3. Unacceptable: Any other breadbag unless specifically authorzed by the commander.
    E. Entrenching tool and cover:
  1. Recommended: Original straight-handled shovel with reproduction carrier in leather or "Presstoff" (artificial leather). Original or post-war folding shovel and reproduction carrier. Straight shovel is preferred.
  2. Acceptable: Swedish straight-handled shovel with reproduction carrier in leather or "Presstoff."
  3. Unacceptable: East German or Bundeswehr shovels and carriers. Dutch carriers. Any shovel and/or carrier not specifically authorized by the commander.
    F. Bayonet, scabbard and frog:
  1. Preferred: Orignal bayonet, scabbard and frog. Early style frog is preferred.
  2. Acceptable: Original bayonet, scabbard and reproduction frog in early style (preferred), mounted style (with strap), "tropical" style (web), or "SS style."
  3. Unacceptable: Any other bayonet, scabbard, or frog unless specifically authorized by the commander. WWI or non-German bayonet scabbard and frog.
    G. Ammunition pouches:
  1. Preferred: Original WWII German ammunition pouches.
  2. Acceptable: Reproduction ammunition pouches. Rifle ammunition pouches in black pebble-grained leather only. MP-40, G-43, and MP-44 pouches should be sewn with white thread, and should not be in the darker, forest green color.
  3. Unacceptable: WWI ammunition pouches, brown leather ammunition pouches for the 98k rifle, ammunition pouches from other countries or periods. Any ammo pouch not specifically authorized by the commander.
    H. Gas mask can and straps:
  1. Preferred: Original gas mask can and straps.
  2. Acceptable: Original gas mask can with reprodution or post-war straps. Bundeswehr gas mask can and post-war straps only if can has been stripped and repainted in the proper color.
  3. Unacceptable: Spanish gas mask cans, Luftschutz gas mask cans. Any gas mask can not specifically authorized by the commander.
  4. Note: We do not require you to carry the gas mask in the can, although it is encouraged. Many reenactors prefer to use their gas mask can to carry spare ammuniton, food, weapons cleaning materials, etc. This is allowed, but make sure that any item(s) carried are as period correct as possible. No modern plastic water bottles, etc. are allowed.
4. Personal items and personal appearance:
    A. Haircuts:
  1. Recommended: German military style haircut. Very short/shaved at the neck and sides, tapering to longer at the sides, and very long on top. The hair is combed straight back from the forehead. If parted, the part is very high on the head.
  2. Acceptable: Short hair. The hair on the sides and the neck must be very short, and the sides and neck should be tapered. No "blocked" haircuts allowed. Modern US military haircuts are acceptable.
  3. Unacceptable: Hair that touches the collar or ears. Unnaturally colored or dyed hair. Hair that is obviously colored or dyed. Unusual or extreme hair styles (e.g. mohawks, spiked hair).
    B. Facial hair:
  1. Recommended: Clean-shaven. No sideburns.
  2. Acceptable: Clean shaven. Hair stops at the top of the ear where it attaches to the head.
  3. Unacceptable: Mustaches, beards, goatees. Sideburns longer than described above. Note: In certain scenarios, or if we are in the field with inadequate water or toilet facilities, the commander may allow the members of his unit to stop shaving. This decision is the commander's discretion. If we are in barracks, members will be clean shaven every day.
    C. Eyeglasses (if you need them):
  1. Recommended: Contact lenses (preferred) or original German military eyelglasses fitted with your prescription.
  2. Acceptable: Modern prescription eyewear if it is of a style, size, and shape that was available in Europe in the 1940s. Recruits and teenagers may wear their normal eyeglasses, but must upgraded at the earliest opportunity. Note: This is a priority item.
  3. Unacceptable: Any obviously modern eyeglasses. Sunglasses. Tinted or mirrored glasses. "Vari-shade" glasses or any glasses that automatically darken in the light. Any tinted, mirrored, unnaturally colored or bizarre contact lenses.
    D. Timepieces:
  1. Recommended: Original German military issue wristwatches or pocket watches. Period made European wristwatches or pocket watches.
  2. Acceptable: Modern wristwatches or pocket watches if they are of the size, shape and style of those available in Europe in the 1940s.
  3. Unacceptable: Obviously modern/non-period correct timepieces.
  4. Note: If you must carry your non-period time piece, put it in your pocket. Also be sure that any alarm functions are deactivated.
    E. Jewelry:
  1. Recommended: No jewelry.
  2. Acceptable: Wedding ring. (Note: Wedding ring should be relatively plain, as found in the 1940s. Also note that most Germans wear the wedding ring on the third finger of the RIGHT hand). Period correct military ring. Religious medallion on necklace (must not show when uniform is worn).
  3. Unacceptable: Non-period style jewelry. "Pinkie" rings. Rings on more than one finger of the same hand. Bracelets. Necklaces (except as listed above). Earring(s). Any piercing(s).
    F. Gloves, scarves and toques:
  1. Prefereed: Reproduction medium-dark grey gloves with white size rings. Post war medium-dark grey toques and scarves.
  2. Acceptable: Post-war East German, Swiss, etc. gloves in medium to dark grey. Brownish grey toques and "captured" GI gloves are authorized only for new recruits and teenagers and must be upgraded at the earliest opportunity. West German scarves with dark blue stripe on the end are reluctantly authorized.
  3. Modern, non-period style gloves, fingerless gloves, "Ragg wool" gloves. Green border guard toques and scarves. Any item not closely resembling the original is size, shape, color and material.
5. Camouflage:

Camouflage will be kept to a minimum. Excepting winter clothing, members are limited to one (1) item of camouflage with their uniform. Example: You may wear a camouflage helmet cover OR camouflage trousers, but not both. Camouflage is only authorized after a member has ALL required wool uniforms and field equipment. Camouflage patterns NOT authorized include modern German border Guard (Bundesgrenzschutz) tan-water camouflage, and Swiss camouflage. The Swiss closely resembles the German splinter pattern, but has small yellow streaks that were not present in the original German pattern. Any camouflage item must be specifically authorized by the commander prior to wear.

    A. Helmet cover (Army style drawstring helmet covers only):
  1. Recommended: Reproduction helmet cover made of original zeltbahn material.
  2. Acceptable: Reproduction helmet cover made of modern material in splinter pattern only. Material must be of highest quality and be virtually indistinguishable from original helmet covers.
  3. Unacceptable: Poor quality reproductions. Krupper camouflage. Tan-water helmet covers.
    B. Trousers:
  1. Preferred: Reproduction camouflage trousers made of original zeltbahn material.
  2. Acceptable: Reproduction camouflage trousers made of modern material in splinter pattern only. Material must be of highest quality and be virtually indistinguishable from originals.
  3. Unacceptable: Poor quality reproductions. Krupper camouflage. Tan-water pattern trousers.
    C. Smocks:
  1. Preferred: No smocks.
  2. Acceptable: Reproductions made from original zeltbahn material or modern material of the highest quality that is virtually indistinguishable from original. May be splinter pattern or tan-water. Smocks may only be worn for late war scenarios (after D-Day) and we ask that members minimize their use.
  3. Unacceptable: Poor quality reproductions. Krupper camouflage.
    D. Winter clothing: (Issue style winter parka, trousers, and mittens.):
  1. Preferred: High quality reproductions in splinter pattern.
  2. Acceptable: High quality reproductions in mouse grey (1941-1945), or tan-water pattern (mid-1944-1945).
  3. Unacceptable: Poor quality reproductions. Krupper camouflage.
    E. Camouflage field caps:
  1. Preferred: None.
  2. Acceptable: Reproductions made from original zeltbahn material. Reproductions made from high quality modern material (splinter only) that is virtually indistinguishable from original. Camouflage caps are authorized only after the member has a wool M43, M38 or M42 cap and insignia. Camouflage caps are not authorized for wear with the wool uniform, and are not authorized in garrison. Opportunities for their wear in the field are extrememly limited.
  3. Unacceptable: Tan-water pattern camouflage caps. Poor quality reproductions. Krupper camouflage.
Comments:

The best recommendation is this: When in doubt - ASK! Ask the commander or authenticity committee. Ask your fellow unit member, or better yet, the commander or authenticity officer. All of us have spent money unwisely. For example: You are NOT getting a bargain by purchasing those Austrian y-straps. You are probably paying too much to start with, and you can't use them in this club. Now you have a $15 or $25 or $35 set of JUNK that you can't even sell at a garage sale. Instead, take that 15, 25, or 35 dollars and apply it towards a set of good quality, reproduction y-straps that you KNOW are authorized. This will actually save you money in the long run.