washing British battle dress

Question and opinion regarding Living History / Reenacting.
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Frank USMC
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washing British battle dress

Post by Frank USMC » Mon Jul 30, 2018 2:13 pm

Okay,...very hot weekend. How do I wash a British battle dress uniform? the blouse is reproduction, the pantaloons are original..dispatch rider sat up.
Looking to clean the uniform with out destroying it.
One of the few, Frank USMC RET


ng19delta
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Re: washing British battle dress

Post by ng19delta » Thu Aug 02, 2018 9:12 am

I used to use COLD water and Woolite. Worked well. HAND wash it, after getting any dried mud, etc. off.

(I did Brit for YEARS, and had to deal with it regularly. Sad part was right before the USO dance for the 50th D-Day anniversary at Virginia Beach- My girlfriend did me the favor of ironing my uniform- and completely REMOVED the sharp creases! ("I didn't think you wanted those creases..." SMH...) I didn't have the heart to tell her otherwise, and was very self conscious as there was no time to redo them before the dance... lol... I felt like I was wearing two balloons for trouser legs.

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Re: washing British battle dress

Post by Buggy Man » Thu Aug 02, 2018 3:55 pm

I did British (both Wars) for years. My uniforms didn't have any insignia on them but they were original (this was in the 80's). If I recall, I just threw them in the washing machine cold/cold and hung them to dry. Never had any problems.

Matt

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Re: washing British battle dress

Post by signsup » Fri Aug 24, 2018 5:59 am

You guys can solve the hot weather and the panta loons problem with one simple alteration...

wear a kilt.

I wear a black watch kilt with my battle blouse, sporran, boots hose, with canvas leggings, holster belt with pistol holster and one ammo pouch and a lanyard from the pistol to the shoulder boards on the blouse. It's a nice look when piping at re enactments.
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philipgslattery
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Re: washing British battle dress

Post by philipgslattery » Sat Sep 29, 2018 7:35 pm

Don't worry about it. Don't think the poms ever washed.
Philip ( Aussie)

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Re: washing British battle dress

Post by artificer » Sat Sep 29, 2018 8:45 pm

philipgslattery wrote:
Sat Sep 29, 2018 7:35 pm
Don't worry about it. Don't think the poms ever washed.
Philip ( Aussie)
Very good. Not sure they will get it Phil!
If wool [which they probably are] get them dry cleaned, would be my suggestion.
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'42 Peep's Motorpool
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Re: washing British battle dress

Post by '42 Peep's Motorpool » Wed Jan 09, 2019 8:19 pm

Not sure, but someone on this forum might be able to tell you: http://www.worldmilitariaforum.com/forums/


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