Required Uniform Items

The following is a list of basic items which all members of the 26th Infantry are required to possess.  New unit members have one year to accumulate these items.  Most of these items are illustrated in the ETO and PTO combat dress pages.

CLOTHING

M-41 Field jacket - An original or approved repro.   Buttons should be the correct brown or olive color.

OD Wool Shirt  - Original or approved repro.   No postwar (i.e. w/shoulder straps) examples allowed.

OD Wool Trousers - Original or approved repro.   Only mustard shade examples allowed.

Wool "Jeep" Cap - Original or approved repro in correct shade of OD (not green)  wool.

Wool Overcoat - Original.  Examples should have brass rather than plastic buttons.

Overseas Cap - Original or approved repro in correct OD wool.  Light blue piping or no piping only allowed.

EM Dismounted Raincoat - Original, approved repro, or postwar (same pattern).  Preferred to the poncho.

5 Button High Neck Sweater - Original, approved repro, or modern GI with correct WW2 buttons.

Leather Palm Wool Gloves - Original, approved repro, or postwar French Army.  The only type glove allowed.

HBT Fatigues - Original or approved repro.  1st or 2nd pattern jacket and trousers with 13 star metal buttons.  Worn only for pacific war and select ETO events (per authenticity officers approval).

3/4 Roughout or Cap Toe Service Shoes - Original or approved repro. 

Wool Scarf - Original or approved repro.  Red Cross or cut from blanket style.

Wool Service Tunic - Original or approved repro.   All unit insignia and awards are worn on this uniform.

EQUIPMENT

M1923 Cartridge Belt - Original or approved repro.   Khaki colored examples only.

M1928 Haversack - Original only, with meat can pouch.

M1910 or M1942 First Aid Pouch - Original khaki colored examples only.

M1910 Canteen cover - Original khaki colored examples only.

M1910 Canteen and Cup - Original with war time dates.   Stainless steel examples preferred for health reasons.

M1938 Dismounted Leggings - Original khaki colored examples only.

M1910 E-Tool w/Cover - Original or approved repro "T" handled shovel w/khaki cover.

Lightweight Gas Mask Bag - Without mask.  Original khaki, OD, or OD and Khaki transitional.  Used to carry ammo, grenades, rations, etc.

M1 Steel Helmet w/Liner - Original only.  Helmet must be the correct color and have split in rim located in the front.  Fixed bales are preferred over flexible, but flexible are allowed.  Straps must be khaki in color and sewn onto the bales.  Liner must be of WW2 vintage and have khaki colored HBT suspension and leather chinstrap.

Helmet Net - The 3/4 inch British style net is standard for the 26th, but other types of net are acceptable.

Bayonet - Original 10 inch bayonet, new or cut down manufacture with M7 plastic scabbard.  16 inch M1910 or M1942 Bayonets are acceptable for early war (1941 - 1943) events.

M1940 Identification Tags (Dog Tags) - Original or approved repro "tooth" notched tags with chain.

Shelter Half - Original Khaki colored shelter half with either open or closed end.  No OD allowed!

Shelter Half Pins and Poles - 5 original or approved repro wooden pegs, 1 original folding tend pole and guy line.

Mess Kit - Original M1926 mess kit with knife, fork, and spoon.

OD Wool Blankets (2) - Original, approved repro, or approved post war.

*Note - The use of M36 Suspenders and Musette Bags is NOT allowed in the 26th, with the exception of commisioned officers.

OPTIONAL ITEMS

The following items are optional, however members are encouraged to pick them up in order to improve their authenticity for different events.

M43 Field Jacket - Original or approved repro.   Worn for events late 1944 and on.

2 Buckle Combat Boots - Original or approved repro.   U.S. Calvary reproductions are not acceptable unless modified.  Worn for events late 1944 and on.

M1943 Folding Shovel w/Cover - Original only.  War time dated cover can be OD, Khaki, or OD and Khaki transitional.   Used in post D-Day events only.

M1943 Jungle Pack - Original only.  OD, Camo, or Green and Khaki examples may be worn for Pacific theatre events.  OD variant may be used for select ETO events.

Poncho - Original or approved repro.  Must be WW2 version without hood.  May be used for Pacific war events and for ETO in lieu of the raincoat.

GP Ammo Bag - Original.  Khaki or OD and Khaki transitional variants are acceptable.  Used to carry ammo, grenades, rifle grenades etc.

Copyright 1998 by Alan M. Crane