The very best military surplus kit

[big_swede]

i once got told that mora knives were issued to the swedish army but im not sure??

They are. Different from company to company (or in my case squadron to squadron), we got some cheap red handled carbon ones. Others I know have gotten clippers and some got the 2000.

My best surplus kit is the swedish army winter scarf in grey wool. It's tubular knitted so you cut of the ends and cut it in half, and suddenly you have two woolen buffs. For under a pund! I use some other stuff from the SDF too, that I forgot to return when I left. The thermal shirt (wool power 600) was used a lot before it got worn out. A cutlery set was really great, felt like real cutlery. Socks and winter socks are great two.

I don't intentionally buy surplus, I buy what suits my needs to a reasonable price. Most surplus stuff is too heavy and to ill-designed for my needs. Note that I haven't bought so much kit the last years...

 

[Wilderbeast]

58 pattern water bottles

and of course

Milbank bag!

 

[Celt_Ginger]

'58 pattern water bottle has a wider neck than the US version so is much easier to fill from a jerry can without getting wet. Crusader S/S mug, Goretex Bivi bag, Karrimore sabre SF pack, Lowa/Hanwag mountain/assault boots, Milbank bag. 24hr rat packs.

 

[andybysea]

37 patt bd trousers,
58 patt poncho
58 bottle/crusader cup/and pouch
68 patt trousers
mod knife
headover
dpm windproof smock
swedish snow smock(dyed)
'' '' '' army trangia/mess set
canadian o/g windproof trousers.

 

[deeps]

My AGR

put it on when the wife is asleep then wake her

how we laugh ;-0

 

[Ridge Runner]

Swedish 35L pack with upgrade shoulder straps
Swedish Cook kit
Swedish green cap with velcro ear flaps (don't know the name or pattern)
USGI rubber poncho.

 

[Minotaur]

Really like the size, and design of the Alice pouches.

 

[sirex]

Not sure of the model but in the 80s I had a German army sleeping bag which had sleeves and a zip across the knees so you could walk around without taking it off. Superb bit of kit which got worn out after about 10 years of solid use. It weighed about 3 stone and filled up my blue external frame rucksack no problem but I still loved it.

I wouldn`t dream of carrying one today though

isnt that a sniper sleeping bag ?

 

[ex Member swampy99]

58 water bottles. SS crusader mugs, Dragon supplies airbourne bergan and webbing.

S95 shirt
Windproof smock both in DPM and Desert only £25 each from BMS new.
SA SS trangia
Issue bivi bag
58 poncho
thermarest.
Army tree beater (Golock)

This kit I use when out with the ACF but do swap it with civvi stuff like the HH hammock.

 

[Riven]

British Army Bivi Bag ...excellent
US waterbottle/cup and cooker
US M65 jacket and liner (great pockets)
US metal spoon ... big and yet light

 

[Melonfish]

actually can i add the ubiquitous brown placcy spoon from the US Rat packs?
i had a whole stash of these, in fact lived off em for a weekend once whilst out airsofting and i found that you just end up with all these brown plastic spoons in wrappers cause you generally keep the first one you use. they're damn good tho pretty bomb proof.
pete

 

[BOD]

.. what are the best pieces of military surplus kit you have ever used. They can be from any military and any type of kit (please no Warrior vs Bradley).

My picks...

US Army Poncho liner
US Army canteen, stainless steel cup, and stove
Panama Tread jungle boots

Mac

In no order -

Altama Panama sole jungle boots
SAF DPM bush jacket
Australian Army mug