A question for all...

[Baron Kurtz]

...and a Hipflask of a nice Islay...:cheers1:

Halfway up a mountain the bottle never argues :beer: :cheers1:

 

[Mojave Jack]

Hmmm, how have I missed this thread?! This is something I regularly give thought to. For the desert, I layer, mostly in the 8th Army tradition, i.e. shorts, long sleeve shirt, plus a sweater or sweater vest and bush jacket for the mornings, evenings, and nights. I'd probably have a heavy wool coat in reserve for really cold nights. I don't wear the high socks, though if I were actually in the 1920s or 30s I most definately would, along with a pair of brothel creepers or good chukka boots. Here I wear the Altama desert boots, as much to keep the sand out as for the traction or ankle support. I'd also have along a pair of breeches and riding boots or leather leggings to go over the chukka boots, for cooler periods or when decorum called for hiding my legs. Solar topee is a must! I prefer the Woolsely helmet, for the better neck coverage. A Commonwealth-type bush hat would be a runner-up.

For temparate climates I still layer, but would go with moleskin or wool trousers, wool or cotton shirt, chukka boots (a good sturdy set, but not quite the climbing boots of Seven Years in Tibet), and probably a good beaver felt bush hat or montana peaked hat. Depending on the situation, a good utility jacket like a bush jacket but heavier, maybe of canvas. I've never favored leather in the field, so I honestly couldn't go the IJ route (sorry, fellow COWers!). I think I would pretty much emulate Roy Chapman Andrews during the Central Asiatic Expeditions (Andrews).

For the field gear in either place, I'd probably stick with the 08 or 37 Pattern web gear for holster, ammo pouch, water bottle, etc. That gear is a little more versatile and comfortable than the US equivalent. I use my 37 Pattern water bottle daily, since it is tough as nails, and I can just sling it over my shoulder on the way out the door. I like the short-drop tanker holster for my revolver (S&W Model 10). I prefer my revolver, over my .45 (Colt Commander) for reliability and ease of use, though I'd probably pack my .45, just in case. I do love my MKVII for incidentals, so that I would definately have along.

All would be in earth tones, of course, so the dirt doesn't show as badly. Always try to look sharp!

Great thread, BT! Quite fun!

(And the hip flask goes without saying!)

 

[BellyTank]

Excellent...

Excellent response Mojave'.
This is the stuff I was looking for back in February-
That's probably why you missed it- that and the thread's lame title.

Some shared thoughts here...

B
T

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Off to climb a hill ... Or beat a peasant

wearing no fewer than 7 different patterns/textures

bk

 

[BellyTank]

Tweed Beast!

B
T

 

[Baron Kurtz]

had been lookling for this image for ages. BBC had it on their website a couple of days ago.Tweed jacket and plus fours anyone?

bk

 

[BellyTank]

OK then...

...and Danish Archaeologist, Thorkild Jacobsen- no Tweeds but Desert-Dapper...

B
T

 

[Mojave Jack]

...and Danish Archaeologist, Thorkild Jacobsen- no Tweeds but Desert-Dapper...

B
T

Excellent! Love the picture of Jacobsen!

I was looking for some pics of Byron de Prorok; they have that same sort of flavor as Jaconsen's photo. I'll have to scan some in from one of his books. I scanned a couple great ones from Mysterious Sahara, but they are all at home.

Belly Tank, you'll have to repost that pic of Jacobsen in your thread on Golden Age Adventurers.

 

[Creeping Past]

I've just returned from a visit to London's premier specialist retailer of clothing-grade canvas duck, and cellular and dense-weave cotton - and hard-wearing garments made of same. What a treat to see the best in stylish adventure clothing all in one place! My favourite item was a cotton Norfolk jacket...








































It was all a dream.

 

[H.Johnson]

Woollen mountain gear

My suggestion for a cheap grey woollen surplus Norfolk-style mountain outfit:
- Men's Danish Civil Defence jacket (costs around 20 GBP);
- Belt from Danish women's Civil Defence jacket (whole jacket costs 5GBP);
- Grey Swiss Army shirt (5 GBP) with any black tie;
- Swiss army trousers (match above, cost around 20 GBP);
- Swedish army boots (around 20 GBP unissued).

Remove belt hooks and one or both chest pockets (if you want to avoid looking 'military'), add belt loops and belt. The Swiss Army jacket that matches the trousers is much cheaper (<10 GBP) but has lapels rather than the shirt collar. Wear the trousers with long stockings (Swiss gaiters are a matching but more modern alternative) or make them into breeches. The early Swedish boots (leather soles and cleats) are rare, but later (>1960s) Commando soled ones are common in the UK (and probably Sweden!).

 

[Creeping Past]

My suggestion for a cheap grey woollen surplus Norfolk-style mountain outfit:
- Men's Danish Civil Defence jacket (costs around 20 GBP);
- Belt from Danish women's Civil Defence jacket (whole jacket costs 5GBP);
- Grey Swiss Army shirt (5 GBP) with any black tie;
- Swiss army trousers (match above, cost around 20 GBP);
- Swedish army boots (around 20 GBP unissued).

Remove belt hooks and one or both chest pockets (if you want to avoid looking 'military'), add belt loops and belt. The Swiss Army jacket that matches the trousers is much cheaper (<10 GBP) but has lapels rather than the shirt collar. Wear the trousers with long stockings (Swiss gaiters are a matching but more modern alternative) or make them into breeches. The early Swedish boots (leather soles and cleats) are rare, but later (>1960s) Commando soled ones are common in the UK (and probably Sweden!).

Top it off with a Swedish army peaked wool cap and the job's a good 'un. And maybe wear hose tops rather than gaiters (cheaper still) - and if you don't want to cut up a good pair of trousers.

 

[Hal]

My suggestion for a cheap grey woollen surplus Norfolk-style mountain outfit:
- Men's Danish Civil Defence jacket (costs around 20 GBP);
- Belt from Danish women's Civil Defence jacket (whole jacket costs 5GBP);
- Grey Swiss Army shirt (5 GBP) with any black tie;
- Swiss army trousers (match above, cost around 20 GBP);
- Swedish army boots (around 20 GBP unissued).

Remove belt hooks and one or both chest pockets (if you want to avoid looking 'military'), add belt loops and belt. The Swiss Army jacket that matches the trousers is much cheaper (<10 GBP) but has lapels rather than the shirt collar. Wear the trousers with long stockings (Swiss gaiters are a matching but more modern alternative) or make them into breeches. The early Swedish boots (leather soles and cleats) are rare, but later (>1960s) Commando soled ones are common in the UK (and probably Sweden!).

What, if anything, might be worn over all this against rain (and/or wind)?
I am aware that fully waterproof clothing was frowned on (even in the wet British Isles) until 1960 or so, and that the material of the jackets and trousers might be fairly windproof.

(Mr Johnson - any possibility of a PM exchange?)

 

[Corky]

My ideal outfit for a Golden Age adventure out in the wilds of wherever would be...

...a leopard skin Speedo and a bowie knife.