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at the front Contact Ordering Sign In Shopping Bag contactus@atthefront.com270-384-1965Search for:Menu Deal of the Day new us german USA Made WWII Links & Events Sale The ATF Blog The ATF Blog US WWII Uniforms How to determine uniform sizes March 19, 2024 Posted by ATF Admin XXL WWII Field Jacket! RARE!!! Measures 50″!!! One can look online, especially ebay, at any given time and find one or more vintage jackets listed with the actual chest measure advertised as the size” by select sellers. I’m sure they’re not hoping to snag some unsuspecting person who will pay a premium price for what is actually a much smaller garment, who will be too embarrassed to return it- that is, if they even allow Read More Uncategorized US Facts October 1, 2023 Posted by ATF Admin The unexpected controversy over the US” markings has been a total surprise to me. Even photos of piles of original gear, showing a wide range of variations of the markings, has simply prompted more questions. Why this year (2023) has seen a sudden fixation on them is a mystery. So, here are more photos as well as WWII documents to show and explain how and why they really were. The photo: These are some of our Read More Uncategorized WWII Panzerschreck in original finish… July 29, 2023 Posted by ATF Admin Right click and open in new tab to see larger images. Read More Uncategorized , US WWII Uniforms , WW2 German Army uniform This stuff has marks all over it! April 11, 2023 Posted by ATF Admin From time to time we do get some fussing about marks, spots or other unwanted blemishes”, typically on US fieldgear. This post is to show that many of these markings are necessary and intentional as they are part of the production process, not a flaw or error. Nearly all gear and garments are marked after they’re cut to show the workers exactly where to place pockets, make folds, straps, sew button and eyelet holes, or Read More WW2 German Army uniform , WW2 German camouflage , WW2 German helmets Waffen-SS Helmet Covers April 4, 2023 Posted by ATF Admin This is the last installment on the ins and outs of the most expensive helmet decorations in the universe. Made from scraps: Over the years, I have read and heard much yammering about covers and caps being made from scraps left over from smock production, attempting to explain the tendency for the use of parts in multiple shades and patterns on most Waffen-SS camo items. There are two reasons this is not likely nor even feasible. Read More WW2 German Army uniform Trying to lose… March 28, 2023 Posted by ATF Admin The reasons the Allies won WWII have been debated and bandied about for decades and always will be. There are obvious factors, and the not so obvious ones. Ever since I began making reproductions in the late 1980’s, this one has always stood out. Many enthusiasts are unaware that the Germans stitched much of their equipment by hand, even in 1944-45 when every minute of production time counted. The reasons are not entirely clear, but Read More WW2 German Army uniform , WW2 German camouflage Smock Cutting Facts March 16, 2023 Posted by ATF Admin As many readers are aware, the field of German WWII camouflage is overpopulated with countless experts (Wizards) who pump out facts on social media with little or no experience with originals much less actually making this stuff. One of the oldest fairy tales is that caps and helmet covers were made from scraps and leftovers from cutting smocks and shelter quarters. This is highly unlikely, to the point I’m comfortable putting it in the total Read More WW2 German Army uniform , WW2 German camouflage , WW2 German helmets German Helmet Cover Fit February 12, 2023 Posted by ATF Admin The two original covers used for our patterns. German camouflage is one of the most popular categories of militaria both in the collector market as well as among reenactors/ living historians. With originals being some of the most expensive clothing in the universe, knowing what’s what can potentially mean thousands of dollars made or squandered for those attempting to hoard it. It also means that many people don’t have access to the authentic examples aside Read More WW2 US Field Gear The M1907 Sling February 7, 2023 Posted by ATF Admin About Originals To date, we have never acquired the original Ordnance specifications for the M1907 or BAR slings. Likewise, there is scant information online or in the numerous books on US military rifles. The best description I’ve found, albeit one paragraph, is in Joe Poyer’s book on the M1903 Springfield rifles. So, all information posted here was gleaned from poring over originals in order to copy them as closely as possible. The M1907 Sling was Read More US WWII Uniforms How to shoot- with a sling February 6, 2023 Posted by ATF Admin All information here is published in How to Shoot the U.S. Army Rifle; the Infantry Journal, pp 36-pp41 (Cover photo above) link here How to adjust the loop sling We are now ready for the second step- correct positions. You won’t hit the bull’s-eye every time unless you are steady. Three things control your steadiness. The Gun Sling Your Breathing Your Position The gun sling supports your arm and rifle. lt binds the rifle to Read More WW2 German Army uniform German Tunics: Q&A February 2, 2023 Posted by ATF Admin The skirt on a properly patterned Feldbluse does not fly up when one raises their arm(s) to aim, salute, climb or fasten the rear clip on their helmet cover. (Texled tunic shown.) In past weeks, we have received a large number of questions regarding German tunics. Most seem to have been prompted by expert commentary posted on Mark’s alternate universe. What are Suitcoat Shoulders”? This is the name given some years ago to the tendency for Read More US WWII Uniforms Khaki Fever February 2, 2023 Posted by ATF Admin Original US uniforms in new or nearly new condition with the US Army’s terms for each color. L to R: Summer Service Shirt, M41 Jacket, Tanker Jacket, M1943 Field Jacket Khaki Fever Although the pestilence seems to have mutated into somewhat less virulent strains in recent years, it remains endemic to the hobby of WWII (and WWI) collecting/ reenacting. Precisely how and why it took hold decades ago is unknown- various theories exist but none can be Read More WW2 German Army uniform , WW2 German camouflage Smock Sleeves February 2, 2023 Posted by ATF Admin Some (or many) may shake their heads at some of these posts. Do people really care about tunic pocket angles and smock sleeve diameters? Yes, there is a pretty diehard group of uniform enthusiasts who get amped up over such things. Is this only in regard to German militaria? Not really. There are niches like this in the world of GI stuff as well. German camouflage is extremely popular and much of the information regarding Read More US WWII Uniforms Sizes Then and Now October 25, 2020 Posted by ATF Admin Signal Corps Photo Sizes Then & Now There is a cohort of history maniacs who periodically bleat that we should follow the WWII sizing tariffs to the letter- make the same ratio of each size uniform as was done in the 1940’s. Then their time warp will finally be correct! These guys may be intelligent and capable in other disciplines, but when it comes to selling clothing they’d be bankrupt within 30 days. Why? Read More WW2 German camouflage Planetree October 13, 2020 Posted by ATF Admin 2 Plane Tree” CamouflageAll items pictured on this page are original, WWII production except the tree and the SPW (it’s partially original). During WWII, the German military developed, produced and utilized well over a dozen unique camouflage designs for their troops. The majority of these designs were created and worn by the SS formations. Today, authentic wartime examples are some of the most popular and expensive pieces in the military (and camouflage) collecting world. The Read More WW2 German Army uniform It was awful. July 25, 2020 Posted by ATF Admin During my junior year of high school, in 1984, we did an...