WWI Guards Division Forum

If anybody is looking for an overcoat and is handy with a sewing machine, Sportsmans Guide is selling post war double-breasted trenchcoats for $19.99. They would need to be converted to single breasted, but if you are crafty, or know a seamstress, you could save $$ and get one of these.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=392541

wow thats a great deal! Would it really be close enough if it were converted?

ya know... for 20 bux and 6 odd for postage, you can't go wrong.

a) take it to a local taylor and have him do the conversion. If he's any good he should be able to convert it from double brested to single breated for about $50 max. He may or may not sew on the buttons provided.

Looking at the buttons provided, they technically were not correct. They showed anchors, implying navy. In a pinch, temporarily speaking, we could get away with this for an event or two. For long term use, they would need to be upgraded to your particular Guards division buttons when the cash flow allowed. Dave Hughes had a great source on his old website that escapes me now. Does any one remember Dave's source, or have a good source for Guards Division brass buttons?

All told, I believe that you could do the whole job for under $100 all at once, or in bits at a time.

b) If you can't find a taylor to do the job, a huge coat like that would always make a great blanket up at Newville and for $20 bux or you could just sell it to a vendor at the next event !!!!

c) My only real worry about this item was how to estimate your size given their options. They list the coat sizes as small, medium, large or extra large. I know European sizes differ from ours. Me being me, I'd play it safe and order the "extra large," and then allow the taylor to trim it down to size (allowing for the bulkiness of the uniform that goes underneath).
The cool part to this is that with the left over fabric, you could customise the inside of the coat (as the "real" Guards dudes do) and add in a few pockets below the wasteline. This would make a great place to store Combo's, a chocolate bar, whisky, a bottle of cider for after the event, ammo. The posibilities are endless!!

OK... post a reply, who's in?

Steve the guy's name was Peter Twist out of Canada. I don't know if he's still doing buttons.
Horton

Round an out fit in England that sells Foot Guard Buttons.
They range in price for anything from 80 pence to two pounds.
They charge 1.50 pounds for shipping.
Not the cheapest, but they are out there.

www.kellybadge.co.uk/Stock/guards.htm
It's run by an Ian Kelly

Steve

Good call guys. I think it is a good idea for everyone to eventually replace their General Service buttons with the correct regimental buttons. If you do, make sure they aren't staybrite and if you are getting Grenadier Guards buttons, make sure they have the George V Kings Crest (GR) instead of the Queens Crest (ER).

I am also going to put in an order for the coat as well.

Jim

I think that it would be a great look to all show up with the great coats on at morning formation, show the French that they aren't the only ones who can wear a big, bulky trenchcoat

Just so you guys know the wool Great Coats that Sportsmans Guide is selling are the 1951, Dismounted Pattern. For WW2 we use surplus Greek or Belgian ones becaus ethey are spot on to the pattern, the collar on the 1951 is sort of odd. I wasn't sure if you could convert these for WW1. The XL they send out is "Size 11". Officially size 11 is for someone who is 6'0" or 6'1". I ordered 2 and even though they were technically both the same size they fit diffrently (different makers).

This website show a list of the "British Sizes" :

http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/ishop ... r3038.html

I normally wear a size 46 or 48 chest and the Size 11 fits me ( although the tag says chest size 42-44). If converted to single breasted I am sure it would be even roomier.

Cheers,

---Scott

Hey Scott,
Thanks for the heads up. I just picked up one of the jackets and it is a size 11 as well. I wear a size 46-48 coat and it fits well. If I kept it for WWII Brit would it pass muster?

As for the conversions, the collar is kinda a tricky part because it is so pointy. Drew has had success with his conversion, so if any of you are looking to convert one talk to Drew, because it turned out pretty well.

Jim

Jim,

It doesn't meet WW2 Brit. Standards because the collar is so pointy and it has the extra buttonholes on the lapel. What most of us bigger guys use is either the Belgian or Greek Great coats. They sometimes pop up on Sportmansguide as well. In fact, one of the guys in my unit ordered one and it was an actual 1940 dated British great coat; so you just never know.

Cheers,

---Scott

Awesome Scott,
I will keep an eye out for one that is Greek or Belgian then. I really don't do WWII Brit that often, but I would like to add a complete Grenadier Guards kit to my collection.

Jim

yo guys,

Now that some of us have the trench coats...
The next step becomes converting the coats to WW1.
Do we have some sort of:
a) pattern we could trace etc or
b) step by step process simular to what I put together for "breaking in" your boots.

drop a line,

regards,

Corporal Walsh

I called the outfit that Drew originally listed.
Turns out that they are DEFINITY "O-U-T!"
So, I searched the web for some potential back up places.

1)There is a Brit outfit wth some surplus WWII for 34 pounds (With VAT) shipping probably pushes another 5 to 10 pounds. With the exchange rate, your probably looking at $80 to $90. Not really a bargain.
http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/shopscr1361.html

2) In the US, I found, Omaha's Army Navy Military Surplus. The same type of British Army WWII great coat for $60.00. Throw in shipping and handling and your looking at $70 to $75. Somewhat better.

http://www.omahas.com/catalog/product_i ... cts_id=183

3) The one option that really makes sence right now is to hit your local Army Navy Surplus store and cut out the shipping costs. $60.00 is about what you should expect to pay. Less... if there aren't any buttons.

Drop a line if you see anything for less.

Steve

yo,

Hit the jackpot...
Found a greek/british trench coat for $45 at the local army navy store in center city philly.
Will be picking it up next Friday.

Steve.

Hey awesome find. Glad you could get one in your size.