Reenact-SA

I have bought a few uniforms to date.

most of them have been from Spearhead, but if you want a better fitting uniform and better made gear, it will be more expensive, but much better go to Ant-Z military on eBay.

Here's the link:

http://stores.ebay.com.au/ANT-Z-MILITAR ... asstQQtZkm

I have bought some tunics, my General's breeches and my SS Algemaine Greatcoat from him and they are made extremely well for a product from China.

One tip though, NEVER buy anything from him outside of eBay, I have heard of tales where things go missing and never make it to the buyer. I personally have had nothing but great service from him even though he is more expensive and takes a little longer to deliver.

blitzcraig.

If this is Chen Wei (pirschen@gmail.com) alias Pirschen1975, my recent experience with him has been somewhat ambivalent.

I ordered two items from him via Ebay, as I have received mixed reports of his reliability.

His prices are reasonable (slightly better than some other Chinese dealers, when purchase price and postage are reckoned). I gather he either makes goods to order, or relies on the principle of "just in time" logistics (no problem unless there is an unexpected spike in demand). On this occasion, delivery was quick (less than two weeks from purchase to arrival in Adelaide, so should have had them well before Christmas), but the goods then sat in a corner of the local post office for a couple of weeks before they gave it to me (not Chen's fault). Chen's customer service contact by email has been good.

Problem: sizing was off. I ordered his size "Small Regular", supposedly 34" waist, 32" inside leg.

The first item (a pair of breeches) was good, if a little large in the waist and short in the inside leg, however I would accept that level of sizing variation given that it is an online purchase made without a fitting. Overall I am satisfied with this item. It is comparable to a similar item by Ralph Lauren. Pattern, material and colour were all good and the item is comfortable to wear.

The second item (a pair of combat trousers) was much larger, despite being allegedly the same size. The material was good, the wool nice and thick and a fine grey-green colour. Apart from the size, the only obvious defect was that the lining was sewn over the eyelet for the ankle ties on one ankle. Despite this I consider the item superior to Hong Kong Keith's offering. A visit to the tailor is in order.

There clearly is a problem with sizes, and it is not unique to Chen, as Hong Kong Keith had the same problem, and I have repeatedly had this problem when buying off-the-rack clothes in Asia. Perhaps their concept of inches and centimetres is different to ours. Given that both these items had size tags in a combination of Chinese and Latin script indicating they are both supposed to be the same size, I am utterly mystified as to what Chen's sizes actually are.

Lesson: allow sufficient time for delivery of replacements when ordering.

Verdict: judgement reserved.

Aye, I agree with you Eugene, they can be a little "off" in their sizing, but considering we wouldnt get those materials made for us here in Australia at half the price, we have to cop it on the chin a little. My recent purchase from Spearhead for a HBT tunic in medium turned out to be cotton canvas tunic in Large....sheesh!

Just picked up some Stone Grey M35 pants from ANT-Z.

Can't fault them. Excellent workmanship, shipped within two weeks.

As mentioned, size mistakes are common from all sellers.

Andy.

Purchased another item from Chen recently (a jacket to match trousers previously purchased).

Service: Chen's customer sevice is, as reported previously, excellent. He responded quickly (on the same day) to emails sent and his English is good enough to make highly amusing jokes. Once the size was agreed upon, the goods arrived within a week.

Product: The chest size of the jacket is, fortunately, right, when worn with a shirt, and has room for a jumper underneath. Fortuitously, the jacket length is right with the trousers previously purchased (oversized, see above).
The collar clasp is difficult to close (like the real thing, no doubt), but the cut of the collar and positioning of gorgets indicates this collar was not made to be worn closed (unlike the real thing).
Included were epaulettes and gorgets (fortuitous, as gorgets were not depicted on the sample shown on the internet). An unexpected inclusion was collar piping of an incorrect type. The wool and artificial silk lining is good. Concealed front and sleeve buttons are an incorrect grey plastic (minor detail), with visible buttons in field grey painted pebbled metal on a blue jacket (obvious error, should have been black, white-metal or blue-grey). Breast insignia was not included. Belt hook loops are fitted.

Cost: Chen is not the cheapest retailer, but his quality is acceptable. Jacket cost US$90, postage US$25 (about AUD$150), plus purchase of new buttons and tailoring to correct faults (about another AUD$25-35; total AUD$175-185).

Conclusion: Another mixed result; yet another visit to the tailor to correct errors, but my opinion of his service is high, and the jacket is eminently wearable.

Advice: Allow sufficient time for local tailoring and adjustment when ordering.

TAIZHOU J & C TRADE Co.,Ltd
7-404 Qianjiang Huayuan Zeguo
Wenling Zhejiang 317523 CHINA
EMAIL:pirschen@gmail.com

Dont forget you can buy from his online store and save a bit of cash

Egggsactly Brendon! www.reenactment-box.com

For God's sake all Deutsche...dont buy your Mantel (greatcoat) anywhere else but from Pirschen! Chris recently found out what saving $30 cost him....a VERY thin greatcoat from Hiki.