Ever noticed how all repro clothing has a odd musty / damp smell to it when it arrives? My new commando Bergen absolutely stinks. What's that smell and how do you get rid of it?
Sabre Sales have a device fixed to their shop air extractor and the aromas of camphor, blanco, mould, and cosmoline are distilled and put into aerosols for use by repro kit makers. Helps convince reenactors/airsofters their repro kit is spot on. 
Don't get rid of it - enjoy it.
It doesn't bother me. but the wife and kids keep moaning about how it makes them feel sick.
Condition them. Tuck a '37 belt under a pillow and gradually work up to a full webbing set under the bed. They will soon start asking for trips to Sabre...
Or you could try hanging on a washing line on a bright, sunny, breezy day and let UV and ozone do its work. (Fabreeze doesn't work, temporary at best)
It's true, nothing smells better than Blanco.
Where'd you get your repro' bergan from?
A Proud Member Of 'Team Spleen!' who play mainly at Gunman Airsoft, Tuddenham, Suffolk.
I once bought a german coat from ebay that was ex Berlin fire dept. It smelled so badly of smoke I had to dampen it and leave it hung outdoors for about a week then dowse it in fabreze.
It's true, nothing smells better than Blanco.
Where'd you get your repro' bergan from?
Soldier of Misfortune.
Ah... a SoF commando bergen... It won't be a repro, probably just a 1970s copy. 
Hence the mustyness!
What's That Smell? - Isn't that a Buffalo Springfield lyric?
I'm a hero with coward's legs.
It's true, nothing smells better than Blanco.
Where'd you get your repro' bergan from?
Soldier of Misfortune.
Yeah, as Yith said, if it's the one they've been advertising for a while, it's a post war one. Should be the same green as '58patt webbing if it is.
A Proud Member Of 'Team Spleen!' who play mainly at Gunman Airsoft, Tuddenham, Suffolk.
Ah well. It seemed a guy buy at the time.
Ah well. It seemed a guy buy at the time.
is a 'guy buy' one of those trendy marketing terms I don't understand? 
Yes, my wife is always saying how army stuff smells "fusty". Must be a Scottish term for musty.
Just air it on the line for a few months. 
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Isn't a 'Guy buy' when they take a ladies product and remarket it to men? -
= 
Isn't a 'Guy buy' when they take a ladies product and remarket it to men? -
No, that's just men bordering on becoming gay!
Here's a proper "guy buy"!
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Pete
Yes, my wife is always saying how army stuff smells "fusty". Must be a Scottish term for musty
hah. My missus also uses that term. She's a Sweaty Sock as well.
I meant to type good buy, but I much prefer guy buy.
As long as it looks ok Beds it's deffo a Guy Buy!
My ankle gaitors from RAU were stinking and my missus moaned like hell.
My MP40 pouches from Militaria-Net don't smell much better.
"Foosty" is a perfectly acceptable word.