Used/slightly damaged pouches reduced to clear!

Used or very slightly damaged pouches now only £20 in my esty shop, that's £15 less than the new pouches. These have mostly been used in a stage production in London, and so have minor signs of use on them. They are also prototypes from when I was experimenting with dye, so their finish is not as good or consistent as my new pouches. Specify whether you'd prefer stitched or rivetted front strap when ordering. Further details of these pouches are available in my shop.

All the irregularities are purely cosmetic and they are shipped in functioning condition. Here is a picture:

Medics' Pouch now available in natural undyed leather

Here are some pic of the medics' pouch available from my shop, in natural leather. Please specificy which you would prefer (dyed or undyed) when ordering from my esty shop.

Shop picture

Back

Front

Side

Badge

Medics' Pouch

This is my latest new item. I have just completed a prototype of a medics' pouch (Cuero Sanidad Militar). These are larger than the ammunition cartuchera and have a slot inside for scissors. They will be in my shop shortly for £45, and I intend to also have an option for £50 that comes complete with bandages and scissors. This was just the prototype and the stitching isn't quite up to scratch as I was in a hurry, plus I am not 100% happy with the stamp on the front yet as I did this free hand, but here are some pictures including comparisons to an original.

Front view

Side view

Back, with view of internal scissors slot

Inside, with view of scissors slot

Beside an original

sides compared

Back compared to an original

Astra Holsters now in my Etsy shop

The Astra 400 holsters that I have been working on for the last couple of weeks are now available to order from my Etsy shop. Like all my items they are hand made to order. So if there is any alteration/customisation you would like then do not hesitate to contact me. These normally take about 2 weeks to make.

Some of my Spanish Civil War internet information sources

I thought I would post up some of my web based sources of original photos and information, that I have used for my research into Spanish Civil War Kit. The number of photo journalists in Spain combined with the significance of propaganda imagery to both sides means that there is a wealth of pictorial evidence available to researchers.

Sociedad Benéfica de Historiadores Aficionados y Creadores
This is a great site with lots of  photos of the Spanish Civil War, as well as details of some of the people that took part, the weapons and the propaganda. This site focuses on the Republican side.

La Bataille Socialiste
This Blog is my main source of info on documents and newspapers of the POUM.

Rojo y Azul- La Guerra Civil Española
This site is useful for details of things like grenades, which has been useful for designing grenade belts etc.

Vehiculos y blindados de la Guerra Civil
Lots of pics of vehicles from the Civil War.

Grupo Frente del Nalón
This Spanish Reenactment group has some good galleries of original photos Including one of female Militia.

New York Times slide show of photos by Gerda Taro
This isn't a great source, but still has a few of Gerda Taros pics from the Spanish Civil War.

The Marxist Internet Archieve.
Ok so no pictures here, but a great source for information on the POUM and other parties as well as for the International Left responce to the Spanish Civil War.

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.

Belt Buckles!

The Spanish Army leather webbing available in my Etsy shop now includes a Brass Belt Buckle for no extra cost! These are copies of the Spanish Army buckles from the 1930s, though they are blank and do not have the arm of service badge that many originals have. They can however be engraved with MA for Milicias Antifascitas or any other slogan you desire.

Here are some photos:

 Original example for comparison