What an odd uniform

[tarabelle]

Hey an american friend has sent me this he says the German gun is quite rare and expensive if you want to buy one these days but its the uniform that I was wondering about :/

T

Hi T, interesting photo, German Rifle is a MP44 machine gun, they were quite rare until a bunker was found with a load of new one's in, during the 1980's. The other weapon is probably rarer, a silenced sten, possibly mark 4. Not an expert on the uniform but possibly a tank suit? what a tanker would be doing with a silenced sten is the main question, or was he? Regards Mark

[Luke H]

I thought tank crew as well but beret looks wrong (even colour aside). Whoever he is he doesn’t look happy about having his picture taken...

So quickly checked myself, not silenced, a Sten Mk III, still a cracking photo! Regards Mark

[Toby Purcell]

The uniform is a WW2 British tank crew ‘over-suit’. It continued to be manufactured until the late 1950s and was on issue to even armoured and mechanised infantry as late as the 1980s. The SMG is not a silenced Sten, but the simplified construction Mark III. The headdress is not a beret but the 1943 issue general service cap (GSC).

Afternote: well corrected Mark, you must have been typing as I was constructing my post.

[Mike_2817]

The guy on the left is indeed wearing a canvas tank suit - I used to wear one in the 70's driving Clark Ranger & Eager Beaver Rough Terrain Fork Lift Trucks in the winter. I think motorcyclists also wore them.

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by Mike_2817

The guy on the left is indeed wearing a canvas tank suit - I used to wear one in the 70's driving Clark Ranger & Eager Beaver Rough Terrain Fork Lift Trucks in the winter. I think motorcyclists also wore them.

It’s a general service cap, Mike. Similar to a Tam-O-Shanter, it was made up using the same cloth as battle dress. Unpopular, it was wholly replaced by the beret in 1945.

[Mike_2817]

Originally Posted by Toby Purcell

It’s a general service cap, Mike. Similar to a Tam-O-Shanter, it was made up using the same cloth as battle dress. Unpopular, it was wholly replaced by the beret in 1945.

Urm, Its the Tank Suit I am talking about...

[leigh kitchen]

Is the tank suit the "Pixie Suit"?
I may be imagining it, but do the prisoners have horizontal oval rather than round central devices on their belt plates - Luftwaffe?
The chap in the middle - has he got long hair or is that yellowish blob something in the background.

[grenadierguardsman]

I'd of slung the Sten and used the MP44.
Andy

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by Toby Purcell

The headdress is not a beret but the 1943 issue general service cap (GSC).

Thanks Toby. Shows my general ignorance with attire of the loaf! If Frank Spencer had been wearing it I’d have sworn it was a beret. Thanks again and good to learn.

Cheers,
Luke

[leigh kitchen]

Originally Posted by grenadierguardsman

I'd of slung the Sten and used the MP44.
Andy

It was the inspiration for the AK-47 wasn't it?

[grenadierguardsman]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

Is the tank suit the "Pixie Suit"?
I may be imagining it, but do the prisoners have horizontal oval rather than round central devices on their belt plates - Luftwaffe?
The chap in the middle - has he got long hair or is that yellowish blob something in the background.

Leigh us Warrior Drivers called them " Suits roasty toasty " lol
Andy

[54Bty]

Is that a Bren poking in on the right.

Is there any proof it is an original period image? Maybe re-enactors, straight trigger finger.

Marc

[Alan O]

I thought re-enactor immediately.

The mixture of uniform and kit screams dressing up to me. The 2 'SS storm troopers' look the least likely SS ever.