Denix M1 Garand now takes bayonet

In my earlier review of the Denix M1 Garand I wrote that it does not take a genuine bayonet. But with some patient filing away at the pot metal bayonet lug and barrel shroud, it will. All you need is a small flat metal file as shown in the photos (these are commonly sold in sets of 5 files). Most of the filing is needed at the bottom of the bayonet lug. A bit less at the inside of the bayonet lug at the sides and at the front. A lot of filing is also needed on the barrel shroud. In the photos you can tell by the blank metal where I have filed. The trick is to be patient and to keep trying to fit the bayonet until it easily slips on. The last part I filed at was inside the front of the bayonet lug, so now the bayonet even clicks in place as it should.

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Book review: Uniforms, Weapons and Equipment of the WW2 GI

I bought this book mostly because of its curiosity value as the very first collector's guide, published in 1982 (first and only print). It is of course in black and white and contains a lot of photos and interesting explanations which show the authors have researched the topic quite well. It is written more as a history book than a collector's guide, but still interesting for the collector. Not a book you need to search for though, as later publications are much more comprehensive.

Review: reproduction paratrooper leg bag

I ordered this leg bag from The Military History Workshop back in November. These are the people who made them for Band of Brothers. Most orders are custom made, so it takes about two months, but it's worth the wait. This reproduction British-made type leg bag is a dead ringer for the original. I compared it to good pictures I had on file from an original, and it is amazing. The same material (rivets, fabric, felt, rings, press studs, everything). It came with a reproduction quick release buckle, but I managed to find an original to replace it, so now it is as good as indistinguishable from an original. If I really must name one gripe, is that it is in unissued condition with just the slightest aging done to some of the khaki webbing and the white release tape. The brass rings also need to dull a bit with age, although they are not shiny. But come to think of it, a leg bag should look unissued when you put it on display on a mannequin with a parachute. That's because US paratroopers never got to train with these bags prior to the Normandy jump (which is why so many lost their leg bags and all the equipment in it during the jump), and because these bags were discarded after the jump. So, in conclusion, and perhaps for the first time in any of my reviews, I have to say that this reproduction is perfect! The price of 200 GBP (plus about 50 for an original quick release buckle) is also very reasonable, especially compared to the 5000 EUR you can expect to pay for an original (if you can find one).
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