Reproduction tropical Italian jacket - any good?

[Creeping Past]

The Ebay vendor who calls himself "keith7524fnl" now has for sale what is described on EBAY as " WWII Italy Pullover Khaki Tropical Jakcet"

I can't post a pic because the photos on the site are copyright protected. And I can't link to a live auction.

Would anyone in the know care to offer opinion as to the colour, collar, the look of the fabric, detailing, stitching etc.?

For £40, it looks okay. And he seems to be the only person offering these repros. Can't see any photos of similar on Sartoria Equipe.

 

[MrBern]

better check how much that shipping from Hong Kong would be.

 

[Maguire]

Thats the seller who sold me the m43 hats. I've got no complaints about the guy, hes pretty reliable. I was considering getting one of the afrika corp shirts.

 

[BellyTank]

Don't do it!
I have one of these and it's absolutely useless.
That guy has no understanding of the correct fit for WW2 era uniform and every item he makes seems to be wrong.
He just makes the stuff up from looking at pictures, details and even the fundamental things- wrong.
Even the caps he sells are wrong and the shirts but so are most repros.
Whatever size you order, it will be about a foot too wide in the chest,
with arm holes reaching virtually to the belt, rendering it an anti-garment- unwearable, especially if moving your arms is necessary.

The colour is a pale yellowish khaki in a too-light linen. Wrong.
These were usually quite a heavy cloth, cotton twill or Sateen, occasionally a linen-type cloth and usually in a khaki, to brown shade but heavier. Collar is big, which is typical of Italian WW2 but the collar is... wrong and sits terribly. Stitching is average, a bit loose and too big. Belt height is wrong, pocket placement wrong and the construction of this particular garment doesn't really allow for re-tailoring.
Wrong, wrong, wrong. But the buttons ARE wooden, as per much WW2 Italian uniform. I have read some positive feedback about this garment and his other items on reenactor boards- I really don't know how they can be pleased with this garbage. I've had a few different items from him- very disappointing.
Before I knew better, I bought five items at the same time- what a mistake that was, all terrible.
A man of your discerning could surely not accept such failures.
Another eBay seller, although with a smaller reputation and history, also sells this style, eBay ID: pirschen1975

His is also wrong on some small details and he has probably made this only from pictures but he has the fundamentals correct, proportion good- buttons wrong.
Much better and this guy has the understanding of the correct vintage uniform fit. Higher cut armholes, trimmer fit. He's a nice guy too, I have dealt with him before and corresponded with him at length.

I'm absolutely sure that Sartoria Equipe make this "Camiciotta Sahariana"- you need to find their catalogue list on the website and be sure it's the correct item.
May be expensive.

Hong Kong Keith is getting a very bad reputation of late- a reputation for just taking the money and not delivering. You can see some negativity on the reenactor message boards.
As mentioned, consider postage, which is high compared to the item price, also allow for paying import duty, if it applies in the UK on this value. Also consider that he is getting a bad reputation. He sells a lot of gear but many customers have had bad experiences- mainly wrong item received, not all items received, wrong size...

What is your jacket size?

Take care,

B
T

 

[Maguire]

Don't do it!
I have one and it's absolutely useless.
That guy has no understanding of fit and every item he makes is wrong.
He just makes the stuff up from looking at pictures, details and even the fundamental- wrong. Even the caps he sells are wrong.
Whatever size you order, it will be about a foot too wide in the chest,
with arm holes reaching almost to your waist, rendering it an anti-garment

The colour is a pale yellowish khaki in a too-light linen. Wrong.
Usually cotton twill or Sateen cloth, occasionally a linen-type cloth and usually in a khaki, to brown shade
Wrong, wrong, wrong. But the buttons ARE wooden, as per much WW2 Italian uniform. I have read some positive feedback about this garment on reenactor boards- I really don't know how they can be pleased with this garbage.
A man of your discerning could surely not accept such failures.

Another eBay seller, although with a smaller reputation and history, also sells this style, eBay ID: pirschen1975

His is also wrong on some small details and he has probably made this only from pictures but he has the fundamentals correct, proportion good- buttons wrong.
Much better and this guy has the understanding of the correct vintage uniform fit. Higher cut armholes, trimmer fit. He's a nice guy too, I have dealt with him before and corresponded with him at length.

I'm absolutely sure that Sartoria Equipe make this "Camiciotta Sahariana"- you need to find their catalogue list on the website and be sure it's the correct item.
May be expensive.

Hong Kong Keith is getting a very bad reputation of late- a reputation for just taking the money and not delivering. You can see some negativity on the reenactor message boards.

Take care,

B
T

Well perhaps on shirts he may be off but i'm not expecting a high quality, perfect replica and i'm sure neither is Creeping past. The most attractive thing about this is the cost. And while sometimes he's tardy with regards to shipping, keith has always done right by me. But then again, i've only bought caps (which you can see in the thread i made in the hat forum). If i had wanted a perfect replica afrika corp m 43 i'd have probably shopped elsewhere and doled out alot more cash for it.

 

[BellyTank]

Maguire-
Well, I wasn't really directing my comment to you.
I answered Creeping Past's questions as fully as I could, through having had some considerable, regretful experience of this vendor and the specific item in question. In my opinion, the "low cost" is a total red herring- money down the toilet. It does attract a lot of interest and some customers are very easily satisfied if told that a particular item is authentic- there's a lot of that around. Sure, the caps he sells serve to cover the head but shirts, jackets and trousers are a different matter all together. Beyond the fact that his "authentic reproductions" are totally wrong, there is absolutely no utility in a garment, a jacket for example, which cannot be used. An absolute waste of money.
I have had two jackets, a coat, two pairs of trousers and a cap from him, maybe more- all are bad replications of what they are supposed to be and cannot be used for the intended purpose- whether that be military reenacting or just normal use- that's my problem- I don't wish it on others.

I actually have some considerable knowledge and experience of vintage military and civilian clothing and active wear and repro military - Keith's garments are inappropriate across the board. They do not function in any capacity, which is a very sad fact. I find it difficult to believe he has sold so much and had so many satisfied customers- apparently my expectations are far too great, even though all I demand is what he says he will supply. To be a clothing manufacturer and be able to construct garments which do not serve as useful garments, let alone a faithful replica is ridiculous.

But then again, there are a lot of reenactors running around looking pretty silly.

To the caps- there are several vendors in the US who make much better caps and are a far better deal when postage and risk is factored into the equation. A khaki, or tan coloured cap is incorrect for DAK but could be correct for Kriegsmarine, or Luftwaffe. DAK caps were olive green. The cap in question is actually an M-41, or Afrikamutze, not an M-43. To my knowledge, there is no such thing as an "Afrika Korps M-43".

After reading your last message and understanding that you may have already known that Keith's repro caps were inaccurate before you bought them, it does seem rather strange that someone in the US would buy an inaccurate copy of a cap from Hong Kong- aware that accurate examples are available in the home market.
For the US based customer who desires a bad copy, there are also many sloppy examples available in the US, for your convenience.
I do not understand your reasoning here.

Keith is not just "off" on shirts and caps, it is pretty much across the board, although, apparently, he has some more accurate pieces.

Nice to know that he's always done right by you.
With the experiences I have had with him, I would not recommend him to anyone.

You may reasonably ask then, why I have so many examples of his bad workmanship, knowing what I know.
Well- I didn't know to begin with- I bought quite a lot from him in one purchase and upon receipt of the goods was dissatisfied- I could not return the items to him due to his conditions and his resistance to reply to emails and did not wish to pour any more time, or money down the toilet trying to return them. I have since used them as a resource for my own, project, written them off as a business expense and a lesson learned. The later purchase of the Camiacotto Sahariana(the subject of this thread) was due to the garment not being available from any other source at the time. I could never have anticipated how bad the item was.
Keith also seems to have various tactics for avoiding negative emails and avoiding refunds for undelivered goods.
Time limitations on eBay purchase and Paypal buyer protection can actually work in his favour if he wishes to avoid refunds, he simply drags our the "it's been sent- in the mail" correspondence beyond the time frame.
Sorry- too much time has now elapsed. Things are changing now, he has had somewhat of a monopoly, which he seems to have abused, his reputation is becoming an issue, but eBay feedback has changed, probably in his favour, not being able to post negative feedback for a seller.

All of this is why am not eager to recommend him to anyone.
Do you understand me now..?

Taking into account all that you have expressed, I would hazard a guess that Creeping Past's expectations and needs are greater than your own and perhaps more in line with my thinking, after having read his posts in other threads and his responses to mine.



B
T

 

[Maguire]

I'm not disputing your knowledge on this, i'm simply speaking from my own experience. I trust you'd know more regarding this anyway. I was curious as to your reasons and history of buying from this seller, as it may affect my own purchases from him in the future.

 

[BellyTank]

Well, it wasn't apparent from your post, that you were curious about my reasons and history with the seller and I wouldn't expect that you were trying to dispute my knowledge. From your "caps" post in the hats forum, I could recognize Keith's handiwork, that is why I asked if they were his. I am quite familiar with his gear.

I offered my reasons for dealing with him, as I thought it added some balance to my overall negative portrayal of him and his wares. Hopefully you will consider my lengthy diatribe, for what it's worth and be forewarned, if what I have mentioned affects your particular needs from such a vendor.

I am sure that he has many satisfied customers... he has built up quite a little eBay culture and kingdom.

There are, however, other China/HK eBay WW2 repro vendors with a better attitude and "better" product.
For example: "pirschen1975" and "dawlong", who have sold a lot less units than the other vendor but who show much promise. I have a cap from "pirschen1975" and it is OK.

I think I may have mentioned that I am not a reenactor, you may also be wondering why I buy such things... so let me explain where I'm coming from, you may be interested. You might not but let me go out on a limb.

I buy all kinds of things- vintage clothing, vintage and repro WW2 military clothing and any clothing, hats and gear, which suit my interests: For some considerable time, I have been developing a range of authentically vintage styled, military/colonial inspired active clothing- what we would deem "Adventure Clothing" here on the FL. This project takes some considerable research and repro WW2 military clothing is one useful resource for eyeballing pre-war era clothing, reverse engineering, design and development.
Accuracy of detail and fit is all important for me but I am not interested in buying any more valuable, collector uniforms.
So my interests in repro military clothing can be quite eclectic, diverse.
The eBay vendor in question was offering WW2 military clothing of several of my "interest nations", that is one reason why I dealt with him at the time- bought in bulk.
It seemed like a practical idea at the time...

This project is firmly on the back burner, in the back seat, as it were but always active.

I only wish to arm others with information from my experiences along the way, on this interesting journey. I am always on the internet, seeing what is available. I will always endeavor to be helpful and honest.
Any questions- please don't hesitate to ask.


B
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[Creeping Past]

Don't do it!

Thanks for the advice.

I've mailed the chap at SE to see what he can do. Incidentally, I contacted him a few months ago about mountain boots, but at that time he was searching for a new cobbler. My boot needs have been satisfied since then.

I'm in the process of making a bush jacket (Folkwear) and if SE is too dear may try and adapt the pattern to create a pullover jacket. Long term project...

 

[kampkatz]

Belly Tank
Thanks so much for your detailed explanation about a certain repro maker.
You may have saved many of us from complete disappointment and dismay while pursuing "authentic" WW2 repros. Much appreciation to you.

 

[BellyTank]

You're very welcome.
But it does amaze me that he has so many satisfied customers...
I read their comments on reenactor forums. Some people just don't know better and some just don't know. Tell someone this is an exact repro and 1/3 the local price- they'll gladly pay 1/3 the price and be happy for ever.
Some people just cannot SEE.

OK, I'll shut up now.


B
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[Maguire]

You're very welcome.
But it does amaze me that he has so many satisfied customers...
I read their comments on reenactor forums. Some people just don't know better and some just don't know. Tell someone this is an exact repro and 1/3 the local price- they'll gladly pay 1/3 the price and be happy for ever.
Some people just cannot SEE.

OK, I'll shut up now.


B
T

Actually if possible could you post up a pic of the shirts in question? I'm curious to see what they look like outside of the seller's posts.

 

[BellyTank]

I don't actually have any of his shirts.


B
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