Common Mistakes

Correct Ammo Pouches vs. the M44

Many Red Army reenactors have them and many hate them:  M44 pouches.  Why do we constantly insist on carrying them to all events even though we all know that they are a late-war item and didn't appear in the Winter War or even Stalingrad.  When you get your Mosin from whatever store you plan to, do your reenacting comrades a favor and not bring the pouches it comes with, with you.  Replace them instead with correct leather ones costing from $10-$20.  All you need is one, it's not too much to ask for.

To the left are correct ammo pouches, (originals and repros) to the right is one M44 pouch.  Which looks more correct from 1941 until 1945?  Answer- the ones on the left.

Czech Helmets vs. SSH 39s and SSH 40s

You finally have correct ammo pouches, and now you want something to protect your head from falling mortars.  You go online and type in Russian helmet and find a great SSH39-looking pot for $20.  You buy it and take it to your first event without ever stopping to consider that A- the helmet is a Czech M53 and B- it is easy to convert it into a wonderful reproduction of the SSH39...with only paint, canvas, a little buckle, and either some extra leather or web.  It doesn't take much time and in the end you'll have a great item to take out into the field with you.

An SSH40 and a Czech M53...note the rivets and color

Same helmets, note the liners...very different.

Original SSH39 and a "repro" SSH39

Same helmets, note the liners, both correct.

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