Build Your Impression

Here you can find a comprehensive breakdown of all necessary kit required to attend events with the unit. Also provided will be plenty of extras or suggestions on additional items you can collect to improve the depth of your impression.

Our unit will primarily represent Kaiserschützen Regiment I in the late war period. That is, after the death of Franz Josef, and after the introduction of the M16 universal pattern uniforms with the Kaiserschützen. In terms of uniform, this makes your job somewhat easier, as the standard universal styles are cheaper and easier to come by. However, I will also show the Kaiserschützen specific uniforms in this section. It should be stated, that you should focus on having Feldtgrau kit for our events, but if you so chose, you can mix and match one Hechtgrau piece with one Feldgrau piece (this accounts for late war uniform shortages and variation).

M16 Universal Style

Vendor – Militarie Repliky by Jarda Rezac

You can use either the fall collar style, or stand and fall collar. The facing color should be green, and you will need to purchase the Edelweiss insignia and sew it on yourself, of have it sewn on for you at the tailor. However, for convenience of unit members, and accounting for late war shortages, you can wear the tunics without the Edelweiss (this did happen).

Kaiserschützen / Mountain Style

Vendor – Militarie Repliky by Jarda Rezac or Bernd Fehrle

While Jarda’s tunic picture is Hechtgrau, he can have it tailored in Feldgrau as well (this is what we would prefer you do). For early war Landesschützen Impressions, we would be using the tunic style on the left in Hechtgrau.

Insignia

Vendor – Rizzionline

Edelweiss Collar Tabs, Courtesy of Rizzi Creazioni Artistiche.

Trousers

Vendor – Militarie Repliky by Jarda Rezac or Bernd Fehrle

These examples are of Jarda’s trousers. For late war you should use Feldgrau trousers, for early war you would use Hechtgrau. However, to account for late war variance, if Hechtgrau is all you have on hand, then there will be no complaints with it’s use.

Kaiserschützen Field Cap

Vendor – Militarie Repliky by Jarda Rezac or Bernd Fehrle

When making your order, just ask Jarda to add a feather pocket. I opted to have my feather pocket under the neck curtain, like in the photo on the right. However, you can have it externally, which is the traditional style, if you so chose. For late 1916 onward, which is what we represent, make sure to get a ‘K’ cockade on your cap.

Helmets

Vendor – M17 Stalhelm – Armyoto, WorldWarSupply – Ebay, Ebay / Auction Sites – Berndorfer – Fabri Armorum, Ebay / Auction Sites

Keep in mind that depending on the reproduction you buy, it may have an incorrect paint job. I had to paint strip my M17 reproduction and paint it a more correct “Isonzo-Brown” style color.

Pictures from Armyoto.cz
Berndorfer from Fabri Armorum.

This list may be a bit overwhelming, but don’t let it discourage you. Not all of this is inherently required, but they are all items you will want to have sooner or later. I will make sure to mark the items you absolutely need for attending events with us.

* Means the item is required

Belts & Belt Buckles *

Vendors – Militarie Repliky, Nestof, AK Leather Goods

M88 Belt and Belt Buckle. The double-headed eagle is the appropriate buckle to be using for the M88 Belt. Courtesy of Jarda Rezac at Militarie Repliky.
M15 Roller Buckle Style Belt. Courtesy of Jarda Rezac at Militarie Repliky.

Ammo Pouches – M95 *

Vendors – Nestof, AK Leather Goods

M95 Ammo Pouches. Courtesy of AK Leather Goods. Nestof pouches are also decent, and it is possible Militarie Repliky also produces them.

Bayonet Frog and Bayonet *

Vendors – Frog – Militarie Repliky, Nestof, AK Leather Goods, Poor Richard’s Reproductions – Bayonet – Ebay / Auction

Reproduction M95 Frog by Nestof. It is important to note that some of Nestof’s products are subpar from what I have heard, so products I recommend from them are only ones in which I can confirm their accuracy.

Shovel Carrier and Shovel *

Vendors – Frog – Poor Richard’s Reproductions, Militarie Repliky (May have to ask) – Shovel – Ebay / Auction

Shovel Carrier made by KukReplika, although I have never managed to actually complete an order, you are welcome to try. If you would like a completely accurate replica, try talking with Jarda. I have currently settled for Poor Richard’s, which leaves a little bit to be desired.

Breadbag / Haversack

Vendors – Militarie Repliky, Nestof, other options available

Brown canvas Haversack. Courtesy of Jarda Rezac at Militarie Repliky.

Rucksack

Vendors – Militarie Repliky, Nestof

Canvas Rucksack by Jarda Rezac at Militarie Repliky.

Gas Mask and Can

Vendors – Militarie Repliky

Gas Mask and Gas Mask Can by Jarda Rezac at Militarie Repliky.

The selection of footwear is simple. There are few styles of boots you can choose from, but the priority is the standard mountain shoots with cleats.

Kaiserschützen Mountain Shoes

Vendor – UmlaufShoes by Miroslav Umlauf

This is the preferred pair of boots for the group. However, other options will be shown below.

Rock Climbing Shoes

Vendor – UmlaufShoes by Miroslav Umlauf

Climbing shoes. These will be get rather dirty on regular ground, but they are cheaper than other pairs. Their design is meant to facilitate climbing on rock faces.

Standard KuK Infantry Boots

Vendor – UmlaufShoes by Miroslav Umlauf

Standard KuK Infantry Boots. These are fair more suitable for regular terrain, and they did make appearances in the Kaiserschützen.