All pioniers should have had the patch, but I guess with shortages towards the end of the war then this may not have been the case. The patch is available on the net and I'm sure Cyrus Lee of Soldat.com could make some for you. The SBG actually ordered a quantity in bulk from a specialist maker in the UK. However, these ran out years ago.von papen wrote:Did all pioneers have the trade patch and (although quite a broad question) what do you think i should purchase first?
I was thinking the offer sof have on the grenade bags and 6 m24 grenades for £55 and perhaps wirecutters?
http://cgi.ebay.de/Drahtschere-der-Wehr ... dZViewItem
Would these be acceptable and where could i purchase the pouch, i haven't seen any were that sells one.
vp
The most iconic and perhaps readily recognisable items of pionier equipment is really the assault pack so perhaps purchase that first. It consists of the two side pouches and back-pack. The SOF stuff isn't really the correct shape, size or weave of material, though. There is an outlet in the US that sells this, and a website in Germany, I'll have to try and remember which ones (I've been handicapped somewhat due to losing all my links and info.)
The short drahtschere should be acceptable, but remember it should have the bakelite/carbon grips (these are often missing) and should have a waffenampt stamp on the metal, if genuine. For that price they wouldn't be genuine, however.
http://www.kommiss.com This German chap, Holger Frankenburger, used to attend Beltring and started me off years ago. I also bought my FW41 from him.
http://www.ostfront.com Based in the US, has some gems from time to time. I note he currently stocks an engineer manual (search for 'pioneer', pionier' and 'engineer' on his website, as you should on the WW2 part of US Ebay too.)
Another vendor, where I purchased a lot of pionier webbing and leather, was from Chris Weiss of 'Edelweis militaria' in the USA. Unfortunately, I've discovered that he no longer trades.
For research you will find this website invaluable:-
http://www.germanmilitaria.com/Heer/15G ... oneer.html