Rhodesian Camouflage

[RangerRay]

Hi all...I did a search and I couldn't find anything already posted.  If there is a thread, please delete.

Anyways, I was wondering if there was a good Canadian source for any reproduction Rhodesian camoflage clothing (not originals).  By good, I mean with a good selection of sizes and components.

Here's an example from this American source: http://www.tridentmilitary.com/SouthAfrican.htm

Also, is there a good Canadian source of British DPM clothing?

Cheers 

 

[Bartok5]

Ray,

I can pretty much assure you that there are no established Canadian sources for the repro Rhodie uniforms.  Trident is very likely your best bet in terms of both availability and historical accuracy of the uniform's materials and tailoring.  I've compared the Trident repro uniforms to my genuine-issue Rhodesian uniforms and they are very close.  Trident's prices are cheap, but you tend to get what you pay for.  There have been other uniforms manufactured in the Rhodesian pattern (eg. South African ADRO and U.S. Tru-Spec) however the "cut" of those uniforms is completely different.

If you are interested in original examples of the Rhodie uniform, they do occasionally appear for sale on eBay.  Unfortunately, you are then competing with uniform collectors and the prices for original items in good condition and decent size can be pretty steep.  Upwards of $130 for a field jacket alone.

For DPM, any decent surplus shop should have loads of the British 84 and 94 pattern uniforms in assorted sizes and excellent to unissued condition.  I would avoid the 84 pattern (half-lined, poorly stitched "bulgy" pockets) as this was the cheapest of the DPM uniforms manufactured.  The "transitional" 94 pattern which closely resembles an "SAS" smock but in the heavier standard cotton material is a far better choice.  You can tell the 94 pattern by the two vertical chest zippers (with internal map pockets) either side of the main zip. 

If you can't find the DPM you want in a local shop, there is literally tons of it available at fire-sale prices on eBay.  Just search under "Collectibles", "Militaria", "DPM".

Hope this helps.

 

[RangerRay]

Thanks for the info, Mark.  In my local area, there are no surplus stores.  According to the Yellow Pages, there isn't any in Grande Prairie either.

I'm more interested in the Rhodesian pattern itself rather than the "cut" of the uniform, so authenticity isn't a big deal for me.  What is the availability like for the South African ADRO and U.S. Tru-Spec combats?  Are they available in Canada?

Thanks for the info on DPM.  I had no idea that there were seperate 84 and 94 patterns!

 

[Lerch]

If you were to come south (New Westminster, Vancouver areas) there are quite a few shops that carry DPM. Dave's Surplus, for one, has a wide variety of 84, 94, and S95 (my old set really). They've also got the odd piece of Rhodesian kit sitting on the shelves.

 

[RangerRay]

I checked out Dave's Surplus website, but they didn't have much...just various styles of American BDUs, but I didn't see any Rhodesian camo or DPM.



Edit: I won't be driving there anytime soon...it's probably a 16 hour drive for me.  Edmontchuck is closer.

 

[Lerch]

The only stuff they'll show online is the retail items. All the surplus (things that people have brought in and sold) is kept in store since there's so much to catalogue it'd be useless.

 

[RangerRay]

Bummer. 

 

[Lerch]

Maybe if you give the store a call...they could ship you the stuff they've got in stock.