For Sale: Repro winter AFV Crew Coveralls aka "Pixie or Zoot Suit"

[Remko]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Have not been in contact with Irfan but got the same message from Remko!

Sorry, me bad..... or... just automatic forwarding to all contacs after opening link in the mail

[Jim Burrill]

I just had a FB Messenger chat with Irfan.

He and his brother are the ones sewing the tank suits. He has his shop worked making a couple of large orders for Jerry Lee ( What Price Glory).

He says he is shipping three suits a week.

He also says he expects to complete the delivery in 80 days from the date Rinkum got his.

He has had some labels made up to resemble the wartime labels but he took to heart my caution to add something modern to the labels so people don't accuse him of selling fake originals. He added the modern company name.

Any without labels, let me know and i will send you a label for your size to add, if you choose.

Irfan has not yet registered for MLU, but I have encouraged him to, if only to post in the For Sale section, or respond to questions on the suits and possible future projects.

FYI - Denim tank suits. - Jerry Lee of WPG is interested in a lot of the excess yardage we will have to have made, but he is not interested in the AFV suits. He says the volume is not significant enough for him, so he is helping me.

I am about to do something brash and try to sutler under the brand "B/|\O" "Burrill Ordnance" for a few AFV related items. This does not include the denim tank suit project! I said I would get that going as a fellow hobbyist and not put any kind of mark up on it. We all pay the same to Irfan for them,

But after that, I will see if I can make a bit of dosh from some other projects. I will clearly mark those so you know there is some profit being made.

All the best,
Jim
1942 Humber Mk4 Armoured Car

15th (S) Reconnaissance Regt

[Ed Storey]

Adding current or fictitious company names to reproduction labels does not solve the problem, in fact it probably contributes to the problem. After a few years of wear and tear any reproduction looks like an original and combining this with a current or made-up name on a reproduction label doesn't help as few people know anything about wartime manufactures. What needs to be done is have the word REPRODUCTION clearly stamped in large letters on the inside of the garment, only then will you be protecting the next generation of enthusiasts from mistakenly purchasing a reproduction.

[Jim Burrill]

Agree. so When I saw that after following the style of the Army label, he added WorldWing1@Gmail.com as well as the word REPRO to the labels should do the job. In any case, an unscrupulous dealer could always cut the label out.

List, do you think that will keep the historical "newness" intact?

Jim

[Jim Burrill]

Ed, sorry, I saw after the post your suggestion to paint/stencil the word reproduction in large letters inside.

As a reenactor, That would bother me. I would be unhappy to have the reproduction be disfigured in such a visible manner. Rather like buying a red dress tunic, only to find it had been slashed when it was surplussed.

However, I will bow to the collective expertise of the folks buying the suits. and ask Irfan to start adding a large "REPRODUCTION" stenciled in 3" tall letters across the inside back and shoulder area so it is obvious it is a reproduction.

Honestly, it doesn't take long in the hobby before being aware of how some dealers try to defraud people, and then is is the old saying of "let the buyer beware". Irfan is certainly not trying to sell these as "newly discovered originals.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Jim Burrill

Honestly, it doesn't take long in the hobby before being aware of how some dealers try to defraud people, and then is is the old saying of "let the buyer beware". Irfan is certainly not trying to sell these as "newly discovered originals.

I don't think it is a matter of a dishonest seller trying to flog reproductions as originals. It is more a matter of how someone can discern an original from a repro many more years down the line.
I think a label stating it is a reproduction is a good thing. Why not something along the line "Faithful and skillful reproduction by Irfan in collaboration with Burrill Ordnance"? Why not be proud of the work you two have put into it?

Just my EUR 0,02 worth,
Hanno

[Tim Bell]

For me as a seasoned reenactor and collector.

These are not exact reproduction - they are close.. there are differences and am sure when am out and about in mine, the rivet counters will be delighted to tell me what they are.

No other manufacturers of reproduction clothing see fit to print "Reproduction" in 3in high letters on their kit.

This garment is a limited manufacture run to members of this forum and a few other AFV owners who want quality kit to wear... Am perplexed therefore why this suggestion has arisen given those for whom these are being made.

Other manufacturers take less intrusive approaches - fake manufacturers labels and stamps... Steve Kiddle at Pegasus Militaria uses "HJN co".

I have no complaint with a fake manufacturer's name... even down perhaps to REP.Ro.

But am dead against "Reproduction" in 3in high letters across the inside... this is way over the top and not necessary... certainly not in mine, which is for me to wear with my vehicle.

Tim

[Jim Burrill]

A number of buyers (and some non-buyers) have PMed me about this.

While everyone agrees that these should have some kind of ID as a repro, the consistent feeling is to be discreet with the markings.

Since Irfan has already made up facsimile labels which include the word Reproduction and his Internet website on it, I think we will just leave it there.

It is up to the buyer to add any additional markings to theirs to address their concern about preventing some future fraud.

What you can do is to take an indelible ink pen like a common Sharpie and mark your suit where-ever and however you choose.

Personally, I use my last 5 of my SSN as my pretend "Army Number" so I can recognize my webbing and kit from my club-mates.