Rhodesian militaria - some items

that stuff is NICE for sure...one day...I am determined to actually buy some Rhodesian stuff...right now it is a tad bit costly for me....lol even though I shell out hundreds for some desert sets. nutty I know!!

I've handled and owned hundreds of rhod camo bits over many years, this is the first time I've seen one with snaps in the collar? for a hood perhaps? It was added by the owner I'm guessing.

Chris

vonstuck wrote:

Chris,

The snaps are for the private-purchase North liner. One of my jackets has one. It's held in by snaps that run along the collar and down the front of the jacket. The material is some sort of boiled wool/synthetic blend material.

Cheers,

Mike

Was the jacket private purchase or just the liner?

Thanks Mike!

Judging from one snap being right on top of the label,I would guess it was added to an issue jacket? WHen I was there in mid 78, the camo uniforms were all issue items and it was against the law technically to possess the camos. That doesn't of course include the private purchase camo tshirts (I bought from a military shop in Bulawayo). Camo fireforce vests (fereday and sons a big maker). the jogging suits.

FYI, mentioned before, but my last trip to zim in 85 Fereday Sons was still in business and incredibly you could still buy fireforce vests custom made with whatever pouch config. you wanted. By then the only OD versions allowed, the zims were REALLY freaky about inviduals having camos, I was sweating on my way out at harare airport with a set of zim camos in my luggage!! Got em out tho!

Chris

The jacket is issue. The liner is commercial. Those who are familiar, will recognize North as a manufacturer of Fireforce vests as well.

Great story Chris! Now that's how to collect camo! Forget this eBay crap, there's nothing like going right to the source!

A recent post over on the Rhodesian Forum mentioned that Fereday & Sons is still in business, but has moved. The old store has since fallen into disrepair. I guess they only deal in hunting kit nowadays. I remember a few guys on the FAL Files tried to contact them a couple years back about making some vests, and Fereday's said they could no longer produce them. Production of military kit by a private company is a no-go. Ahh....isn't socialism wonderful?

Mike

Great haul you've got there. I'd love a Fereday vest...and any other Rhodie kit. Sadly the expense of it on eBay and the like is a bit beyond my price-range, when it can even be found. I know the Finnish army-navy superstore Varusteleka makes a repro Fereday which I'm told looks legit, but I wouldn't know.

Didn't want to start a new thread but came across these Rhodesian brushstroke coveralls, dated 1978:





This would appear to be the tanker/mechanic variety, but I know some of these were made by combining a standard pair of trousers and field shirt. Just want some expertise whether this is a worthy addition.

Thanks.

The mechanic coveralls are nice. These were often promoted as a jumpsuit but the actual issue jumpsuit is zippered and made of the lighter weight lightweight fabric and actually cut like a flight suit, BUT, photos exist of RAR fire force jumpers (a nice pic was on the cover of ASSEGAI Rhod army mag) so these were definately used as a para jumpsuit by at least the african soldiers.

Chris

f ,
Your t-shirt is outstanding !
As you know the Rhodesians invented this item and yours is a second pattern which is more complex than a first pattern.

Nice to see a North jacket liner !!!

owen

100% agree .
The suits are fantastic and LRI issue .

Well, the mere possibility of it being used by paras is good enough for me!

Excellent info.

Any idea what I should be expected to pay for it? I'd like to make the owner an offer.

$350 is cheap .........$500 would be better .

Really? I sold a second pattern combat field jacket for $240 and I thought those were rare. I thought these were more common?

Not at all .

Much cooler that a jacket .

Just picked this up , what's going rate for a typical jacket ?

there's always crazy numbers for some rhodesian stuff... jacket looks pretty good in a large size... i would value at $175 & up...
If you paid anything less than that it's a great score

drmatz wrote:there's always crazy numbers for some rhodesian stuff... jacket looks pretty good in a large size... i would value at $175 & up...
If you paid anything less than that it's a great score

£20   

Thanks , yeah size large and looks like a few buttons are missing or the seller hasn't fastened them in the holes. I'm not clued on this stuff and to be fair it's never interested me.

well those prices are for a top quality jacket, but i think they would go for $150 at any day... but in any case you got an amazing deal. I have a few rhodesian pieces and im far from expert, those are prices you can see on ebay on a regular basis, For me is a very beautiful pattern and has a lot of history attached, but also not really my focus...