Recommended French Resistance Equipment List

INDIVIDUAL’S CLOTHING AND GEAR

NOTE: Do not wear any polyester, denim, or synthetic fabrics! Just because the Resistance did not have uniforms does not mean that researching what you should wear is optional. A good impression is a lasting one; a bad impression is infinite.

Headgear:
A French beret is good but a basque beret is preferred (slightly smaller than the French version, originated out of the Basque region of Spain) in black or navy; no insignia. Civilian only. “Newsboy cap” of period material (tweed, cotton, or wool); not an “Irish” version of the style. A period correct fedora. French “Adrian” helmet from either WWI or WWII (the former is blue, the latter green). No German, British, or American headgear.

Shirt:
Cotton or linen button-up shirt (not a t-shirt) with or without a collar. No button-down collars. Period correct civilian sweaters and vests are fine too.

Jacket:
Brown leather, civilian jackets. Natural, dark color period correct French moleskin work jackets.

Pants:
Wool, corduroy (wide-ribbed is best), or moleskin civilian pants. Cuffed pants are highly recommended.

Belts or Suspenders:
black or brown civilian, period correct belts (one solid piece of leather) and suspenders (no elastic). German belts and buckles “de-nazified” or worn upside down with French colors.

Footgear:
1930s or ‘40s civilian shoes or boots. British ammunition boots. WWII era German boots. East-German winter boots are an affordable alternative; however, your pants should cover the wool uppers. French WWI or early WWII army boots. Modern black U.S. army captoe, Vietnam era boots are not acceptable.

Equipment Bags:
Any period correct military or civilian equipment bag is good. For example, British, French, and German military bags or French alpine pack.

WEAPONS

Handguns:
French St. Etienne 8mm Modele 1892 (Lebel); St Etienne (MAS) 7.65mm Modele 1935A/1935S Pistol. British .455 or .38 Webley; .38 Enfield. German P38; P08 (Luger); PPKs; P35 Browning Hi-Power. American 1911 or 1911-A1 Government Model .45.

Rifles:
French Model 1886 Lebel; 1936 MAS and Berthier carbines (Be warned: it will be difficult to find blanks for these guns). British Enfield No. 1 Mk III; No. 4 Mk I. German Mauser KAR 98; Gewehr M98.

Explosives:
reproduction, non-functioning British Mills are best; German “potato masher,” or American “pineapple” grenades are acceptable.

Machine Guns:
British Sten Mk IIs and Bren guns are preferable. Acceptable “captured” weapons include German MGs and MPs. Thompson submachine guns are acceptable.

CAMP GEAR

Personal Items:
Enamelware, period correct cups and plates. French, British, or German canteens. Period-correct compasses, watches, eyeglasses. Straight or safety razor. Period-correct toothbrush ,Vichy coins.

Misc. Military Gear:
Bren gun pouches. British web gear. Period-correct British, French, or German ammo pouches. WWII British, German, or French bayonets. Civilian knives. British Fairbairn-Sykes (FS) commando knife. British map case. British or German medical kit.

Camping Gear:
Wool blankets, civilian or military. Canvas canopies approved individually. Military pup tents can be accepted. French or British mess kits. Brush shelters recommended. British wartime tents. Tents made out of parachutes are authentic but hard to find.

Transportation:
A 1935 Citroen is preferable but we’ll settle for 1930s and 1940s civilian and military bicycles.

*Note: wool pants and leather jackets or a British rain cape will keep you warm in case of rain.

*Captured (aka German) equipment should be kept to a minimum of one or two pieces per person.

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