Front Of Russia

[zb30]

Well I received my stuff from Front of Russia.
I had ordered the padded winter suit and the winter hat that was
suggested.
Overall I am dissapointed with what I received.

First the good:

Parcel was received in good shape and in a reasonable amount of time. The winter pants are old Soviet issue and are fine.
He threw in some free Russian mittens (slightly small), a repro Russian WW2 belt (HUGE), and a pilotka (small). All stuff I can use for an eventual Russian impression.

Now the bad:

The shipping and the fees you have to pay to Western Union to buy from him add up quickly.

The winter hat "fur" is jet black, not brown as advertised. The hat is shaped and constructed well, but is slightly undersized.

The winter jacket was advertised as old Russian surplus, what I received was a Repro WW2 jacket. It is undersized and has russian hammer and sickle buttons which will have to be changed.

Maybe I'm being overcritical, but this is just my two cents. With the event a week away, I guess I'm stuck with what I have.

Now don't get me wrong, the overall quality of the items is fine,
it's just that what I received was not what I expected.

[ssgtsattilaro]

Sorry to hear your items weren't what you wanted. I know that sending anything back would cost even more so I guess you are right, you have to keep the stuff. BUT, maybe you'll run into someone who may need some things to get started. You never know. SSgt. Sattilaro

[zb30]

Well, I went ahead an ordered a winter hat and padded coat from Trident. They are in PA so as long as he gets it shipped within a day ot two, I should have them in time for the event next weekend. As for the hat and coat I got from Front of Russia, a buddy of mine that does Russian is going to buy them off of me, so this all works out ok.
As long as the stuff I get from Trident is better than what I got from Front Of Russia!

[Chicommie]

Hey Comrade,
We already knew the buttons would need to be replaced, I'm using these pebble grain buttons and painting them brown. I finally got around to my bleaching project and it worked fantastic!
The winter suit faded to a light yellow/khaki color, it obviously doesn't have any 'colorfast' in it. In an empty washer at a medium water load setting I used about a quart to a quart and a half of bleach and watched it fade to the shade I desired, it looks bad ass! (this shade can still be used for Soviet reenacting by the way) My ushanka that came has a dark chocolate brown shade to the fur, not exactly what I was hoping for but it will have to do since there's no alternative yet. We also need to remember that the Chinese supply sytem when it came to uniforms was still cottage industry in 1950, a 'standard' would be met and the numerous minor variances would be vast as I can only imagine. All the cool, hip, & hardcore Chinese reenactors this late winter 2008 season will be in khaki winter suits, two snaps and a thumbs up!
comrade, Patrick Hubble ;D