Living History kit list

PBI living history requires a far ‘tighter’ kit list than for our airsoft skirmishing battles, don’t worry if you can’t get much or all of this in one go we have plenty of kit we can loan out to new recruits.

The Basics

To parade with PBI at a re-enactment or living history event you should ideally have an ‘outer layer’ that is convincing at reasonably close inspection.

Recruits should concentrate on the following basic kit:

• 1 pair of ammo boots (DMS boots permissible only for those with health issues or at indoor events where the site will not allow hobnails)
• 1 pair of ’37 pattern’ or ‘austerity pattern’ battledress (a mix of both is acceptable)
  
• 1 Collarless wool Enlisted Mans shirt, (non-wool khaki ‘grandad’ shirts are permissible for those with wool allergies)
  
• 1 1903 pattern belt or white non elasticated trouser braces
  
• 1 Pair webbing anklets
  
• 1 37 pattern belt
  
• 1 GS cap for Hallamshire Battalion or 1 maroon beret (1940s 10&1/2inch crown type) for South Staffords.
  
• 1 Cap badge (either Yorks & Lancs or South Staffordshire)

With the above you’ll be able to go to social functions, attend drill sessions, take part in life around the display and generally participate in living history events without looking out of place.  It is perfectly acceptable to leave your battle dress free of insignia at first as this will allow you to portray either impression. 

Once you’ve got the basics we recommend you look into the following equipment to complete your impressions. Both Hallamshire Battalion and 2nd Battalion South Staffords impressions will require the following extra kit to fully participate in patrolling, battling and public demonstrations:

• 1 tin mug
• 1 clasp knife
• 1 pair of mess tins (modern type perfectly acceptable)
• 1 set of knife, fork and spoon
  
• 1 Steel helmet (MKII or MKIII for ‘Hallams’ and Airborne pattern for ‘Staffords’)
• 1 Ground sheet/raincape (tan wartime pattern only)
• 1 camouflage face veil (two colour war time camo types only)
• 1 cap comforter
• 1 Denison smock (South Staffords Impression only)
• 1 toggle rope (South Staffords Impression only)
• 2 Pairs thick grey socks

• 1 set of 37 pattern webbing, to include:
  

• Belt
• Cross Braces
  
• 2 x basic pouch (MKII or MKIII with brass popper closures)
  
• 1 bayonet frog with bayonet (as applicable)
  
• 1 water bottle (sleeve or skeleton type carrier)
  
• 1 small pack
• 1 Entrenching Tool plus carrier (war pattern)

Following on, members are encouraged to get as much period correct equipment as they personally require, often including washing and shaving kit, camp beds, windproof suits, leather jerkins etc etc.  If in doubt, any of the organising team can advise you on what to buy or what not to buy.  Later on you may wish to buy a ‘best’ set of battledress to fully emblazon with insignia for use only at social events and use your old set for battling in. While this is an ideal, it's not something new recruits should even begin to worry about – equally a second pair of ‘best’ boots can save hours of polishing after a muddy event!

Insignia

Before purchasing any insignia please check with a unit organiser. PBI prefer to use a few reliable suppliers to achieve a consistent look across the unit, in many cases we have made bulk purchases of the appropriate badges and can supply these to you at a cheaper price than many vendors.

Personal weapons:

The majority of activities you will enjoy with PBI do not require a blank firing weapon, nearly all of our battles are conducted using the medium of airsoft RIFs and our living history displays do not involve the use of blank ammunition.  To this end deactivated firearms, blank firers or airsoft RIFs are all perfectly acceptable, but you may find that you will get more use out of an airsoft RIF. Many of which now come in a very high standard of finish which is almost indistinguishable from a deactivated or blank firing weapon.

PBI have a good supply of spare weaponry for new recruits to loan but those wishing to buy their own personal weapon are advised that they will only have use for a Lee Enfield No4 rifle unless special permission is given.

Weapons owned and used by the unit include:

• Sten MKII, III and IV
  
• Lee Enfield No4 Rifle
  
• Webley revolvers
  
• Bren MKI and MKII Light Machine Guns
  
• 2” Mortar
  
• PIAT
  
• Vickers Medium Machine Gun

Other guidelines

• No post war or foreign ‘counts as’ kit such as Belgian denisons allowed (war pattern reproductions are fine)
• No ‘counts as’ AEGS and AEGS in use must be accurate representations.
• Long or brightly coloured hair must be concealed
• No visible body piercing.
• You should be clean shaven or sport a moustache (no goatee beards)
• No batteries, gas or bbs in aegs or rifles
• Any modern accessories or equipment (sunglasses, lighters, watches ) should be kept separate whenever possible.
• Please avoid wearing modern glasses. Contacts are a good alternative or most opticians will fit lenses to period glasses.
• Jewellery should be kept to a minimum and only wedding rings should be visible.
• Avoid political discussion at all times when representing the group.
• Do not argue with a veteran, even if you feel they are wrong, be polite - make your excuses and move on.
  

So, why does it matter?

This may seem a little harsh from a skirmishers perspective but remember we  will be in the public eye and also viewed by other re-enactor hobbyists who have very high standards.
Although it might not seem important to some we can portray our impressions to this high standard easily, so there’s no harm in us doing our best out there!