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winter and many layers, how did they lengthen belts enough?

Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 12:14 am
by Pyotr
I usually try to get my waist belt to be on the shortest hole, making the belt over tunic fit snugly. But if I wear sweater, winter weigh captured Russian long johns, a padded winter coat, and maybe a sheep skin/rabbit skin vest, and a zeltbahn for more warmth, I run out of holes in the belt. I have never read of any one not being able to buckle their belts, and I never see any "extenders". I suppose they lost weight in the winter anyway, but does anyone know any primary research or first hand reenacting experience? (I have two lengths of belts, but I kind of doubt that was common!)

Peter

Re: winter and many layers, how did they lengthen belts enou

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:28 am
by kiler
Had the same this year, when I put a sweater under my Fliegerbluse while wearing a Mausgrau Parka. Luckily a friend of mine had a Mantel I could borrow :D

Re: winter and many layers, how did they lengthen belts enou

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 5:36 pm
by peiper1944
When buying repro belts i usually buy them in a size or two bigger so i can
make extra holes if needed, i'd rather have a belt with extra leather length
than buy a belt i find i cannot use over extra layers, i make the holes with a hot
bradel tool.
You will find this was done on original belts as i have had a couple with "extra"
holes added to them, either that or the soldier has lost weight while being at the
front
Pipes :)

Re: winter and many layers, how did they lengthen belts enou

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 7:08 pm
by Pz Gren Hoffmann
Just get a belt that is long enough to fit when wearing all layers. The marked size is at the largest setting, and it goes about 12cm below that.
For example my waist is about 92cm, i use a 95cm belt, and there is enough adjustability to fit, when wearing all my layers, it's a bit tight with the parka set though, but it works.

Re: winter and many layers, how did they lengthen belts enou

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:41 pm
by Konzert-Meister
I wear an 80cm belt. My waist is 73cm. Its just about tight enough over a shirt and tunic. Goes to full length with shirt, jumper, tunic, greatcoat and zeltbahn. Not often one wears all that, nor is it often one wears a belt without a tunic.