New Trunkles Leaflet

I have designed a leaflet with some of my and Helen's products on it to be distributed at events and to customers. It is by no means a comprehensive list of everthing we have to offer, but gives an idea of some of out bits and pieces. Feel free to print it off (It's double sided and folds into four in a zig-zag with the 'trunkles' logo as the cover), all the items listed are available in the Esty shop also.

More Leather bits

Well the prototype holster is now on it's way to the USA to be fitted to an Astra 400 pistol. So I am looking for my next project and what to add to my expanding repertoire of Spanish Civil War kit. If you have any suggestions for commissions or just items from the Spanish Civil war that need reproducing then please comment on this post or send me a message.

These are the items that I have thought up that I intend to make over the next week or two.

Lafitte grenade leather pouches

These are similar in style to the ammunition pouches that I already make and sell through my esty shop, but are obviously a very different shape and designed for the Lafitte hand grenade. They were originally designed before the civil war, were used and made by both sides during the war, and can be seen in photos of the International Brigades and Militia.

In black

In brown, and a slightly different pattern

Bayonet Frogs (Tahali)

These are of a simple design and intended for the Spanish Mauser m93 bayonet. 

Medical Pouches (Sanidad Militar Cartera)

These look like large versions of the cartuchera ammuniton pouches, however they also differ in that they do not have Y-strap 'D' rings. They also have stitched to the inside a loop for holding scissors. When for sale I intend to offer these both empty and filled with scissors bandages and other peiod medical supplies.

Holster Update

For the last couple of weeks I have been working on designing and making a prototype holster for an Astra 400 Pistol. I have now finished the prototype, and although there are a couple of minor issues (the spare magazine pouch isn't as neat as I would like, and some of the leather cutting was a little rough due to a blunt blade) I am pretty happy with the result and think it matches the originals well. I still have to do some fitting and adjusting before these are available in mt etsy shop, but the overall appearance will not change. The price when available in my shop will be £45.
Here are some photos of the prototype:

The Prototype Astra 400 holster

Back, belt loop and 'D' rings

Spare Magazine Pouch

With the flap open

Original for comparison

Helens items now in my Etsy Shop

Some of the items made by my friend Helen will now be appearing in my Etsy shop. Helen is the maker of the hats I posted about a month ago, and also makes items such as custom flags, armbands, scarfs and oil skin squares. As we work seperately, she will normally fill ad dispatch orders seperately from me, so please take this into account when ordering items from both of us at the same time.

Not all the items Helen makes are listed yet, so check back soon for updates and additions.

Holster and Sam Browne Pictures

I'm planning to reproduce both Spanish Army holsters from the Spanish Civil War and Sam Browne belts, and post my progress up here. So the first step is to look at as many period pictures as I can get my hands on. The pics below show a wide variety of different types of belt and holster, which is good really as it means both the there is a lot of leeway in which styles I make. And it means I can bring in a lot of variety in my reproductions. As I hand make all my reproduction, variety is easy to do, and it also reflects the wide array of sources of kit that the Spanish Republican Army/Militia had.

Holsters

Some of these may be post war, so it needs a little more research. But in general the pictures show a wide variety. Most of these holsters are designed for either the Astra 300 or 400 pistols, and some may be ww2 German contract. 

Sam Brownes

Like the holsters, these also show a wide variety. However they seem to conform to a basic style that is much simpler than British or French Army examples.

Tassels

I was procrastinating the other day and decided to make some tassels. One of which now adorns the front of my Gorillo side cap. I also made one in republican red, yellow and purple, don't know if that is historically accurate, but fun none the less...

Next to be reproduced!

A couple of weeks ago I recieved an original example of another type of Spanish Army Leather Cartuchera. This one, which seems to only have been made in black, has two small compartments side by side, and was designed to hold stripper clips for the Spanish M1893 Mauser. I'd be interested to know if anyone has any more information on these and whether for example ty wer used by the Asaltos or Guardia Civil.

I am currently working on the pattern for these and they should be available to order in my etsy shop in th next few weeks.