Dear FH2 community,
A couple of days ago I thought about creating a thread in which everyone can list their favourite militaria suppliers. Often, people who are new to collecting or reenacting wonder where they can get the best quality gear. This thread should help them to buy from the right companies.
What Price Glory (WPG):
The best supplier for high quality gear, both repro and original, for the US armed forces and the British army plus the RAF. Their repros are just lovely and often of a better quality than the original wartime production.
Also, their prices are very good. This company is the best out there. I have already purchased a full set of British infantry equipment, ranging from personal items to gun slings and webbing plus three sets of KD uniforms and one P-37 BD. Their helmets are of superb quality, too. Their American gear is also top notch, as I found out when buying a full set of webbing and numerous other items from them. The shipping speed and rates are exceptional, too.
http://onlinemilitaria.net/default.aspEpic Militaria
These lads do the best German stuff I've ever seen. A mate of mine has bought many items from them, including steel helmets, collar tabs and visor caps. The items were indistinguishible from their original counterparts, what is there more to say? The Allied equipment and uniforms are excellent, too. Shipping is cheap and lightning fast. They managed to ship my friend's package from Britain to continental Europe in just two bloody days!
http://www.epicmilitaria.com/Soldier of Fortune
They offer lots of items for both the allies and the Axis. They're the only ones offering Japanese gear besides IMA-USA. However, be advised that their webbing often smells funny. The P-37 compass pouch is the worst, though. It took three months of ventilation to make it usable. In the end, it was too small to accomodate the compass. The leather wallet I got can be smelled within a radius of two metres, although it has been outside since November. The rest of the items I ordered from them were really good, though.
Shipping is average, being well priced but rather slow.
http://www.sofmilitary.co.uk/re-enactors-website,1IMA-USA
Never ordered from them, but they're site is definitely worth taking a look. They've even got original armour from the English Civil war!
http://www.ima-usa.com/ZIB-Militaria
Great range of products that are mainly original. Looking for a replica Nebelwerfer or a PAK? You'll find one. Looking for a deactivated MG-42? Buy one for 300 Euros. I could continue this list forever. However, please be advised that they're logistics are at times rather chaotic, they once lost my order and sent it two months late with things I never ordered, but the customer service was very friendly and we got things fixed quickly. That catastrophic water bottle I ranted about in my British equipment thread came also from them, but I guess it was an exception. I am currently awaiting three packages from them containing some really awesome items. I will report on them as soon as I get them. They've got the broadest range of products together with IMA-USA.
http://www.zib-militaria.de/epages/61431412.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61431412/CategoriesPooley sword/MacDonald Armouries Edinborough:
MacDonald Armouries makes the best custom FS knives on the market and Pooley Sword is the current supplier for HM Armed Forces for swords and sabres.
http://pooleysword.com/http://www.macdonaldarms.com/armoury/FairbairnSykes.phpFeel free to comment and supplement my post!