No 2 Commando Kit guide

In resurrecting this thread I just wanted to check, though I do assume it still to be the case, that snipping the 'No 2' off is still recommended, as my insignia are flying towards me in the post at the moment.

ta
Craig

I must admit, i haven't snipped mine yet, as a) they're not attached to anything at the moment, and more importantly, b) i'm not totally convinced by the evidence.

As far as I'm concerned the snipping off of the No2 is still recommended. We do actually have a real photo (not an artists impression or other less reliable reference) of this version on a BD worn with the 2 commando cap badge and lanyard, so it would seem it is correct.

However there's nothing to say that keeping the No2 commando could also be correct! I still am not sure where the original reference to it comes from that had meant there is a repro available and have not seen a pic. It is possible that some enterprising reproducer produced it because it followed the same way that other commando units had them.

This is rather like the white on red Hallamshire titles I have which I thought were early war, but I am now convinced are rubbish. All the pics I have which include early war are red on a serge background. Post war ones are red on serge like wartime. WWI ones are yellow on serge as can be seen at the regimental museum on an original WWI uniform!

So cut the no2 off if you want... it means you can kind of then be a different commando unit as well if you want (sort of) but leave it on if you prefer.

As per usual all this insignia stuff is a nightmare... its even worse than blanco.

cheers, I shall probably snip. Makes it feel exotic somehow.

Next one,

what's the low down on Burgans? Is there a recommended place were they are good to get them from, and in my, admittedly brief, look was there a green one and a beige one?

Hi, I understand the whole no No2 issue but are we saying that actually, it doesn't matter whether you have no shoulder insignia, commando or No2 commando as they are all correct depending on time?

That said, the earlier posts where put insignia on as:

1. we are not at war
2. we wanted to be No2 commando rather than just any commando

Last question, did Commandos off duty but in uniform have insignia or did it get removed at all times to reduce intelligence for the Germans?

What's the low down on Burgans? Is there a recommended place were they are good to get them from, and in my, admittedly brief, look was there a green one and a beige one?

SOF do some. Green are late war, beige are early war. There are a lot of post war civvie ones about which will confuse you... they're not much different from the commando ones.

I'd not bother getting one unless you want it for a collection or for re-enacting. I don't think they're particularly useful in airsoft. Just use a small pack.

I use mine purely for carrying kit from my car to the safezone. I don't think I'd even use it for carrying kit from there into the game area, never mind play in it. Its too bulky and too fragile. It is 60 years old after all! Its a post war civvie one (despite being 1942 dated) and cost me £20, which is about right for a civvie one. Proper ones go for £60 upwards... I've seen them for £150.

So my advice, don't bother unless you have money to burn or see a must have bargain (which is what I thought mine was until I found out it was civvie).

Hi, I understand the whole no No2 issue but are we saying that actually, it doesn't matter whether you have no shoulder insignia, commando or No2 commando as they are all correct depending on time?

That said, the earlier posts where put insignia on as:

1. we are not at war
2. we wanted to be No2 commando rather than just any commando

Heh... What I'm saying is that we know that without the No2 is definitely correct. However we're not going to say people can't have the No2 on as we can't be 100% sure that isn't correct as well!

The No2 commando bit can be see by the cap badge. Other Commandos did not have the dagger badge.

Last question, did Commandos off duty but in uniform have insignia or did it get removed at all times to reduce intelligence for the Germans?

Probably both, depends on the situation I guess! i.e. I don't know, but the argument both ways sounds likely.

Righty-ho I was a bit 'Meh' on it (that is my new favourite typing word, it exactly fulfils the function that I have so long sought) so will leave it until I decide ?I have too much many and not enough period rucksacks.

Do I have a next one?

Nope, not yet

Cheers Yith

My No2 commando badges never had a No2 on them in the first place! regaliaspecialist doesn't do No2s.... so to speak.... I'll stop now...