U.S. Authenticity Regulations
Guidelines and Resources
1. Click to reivew our "Flag Raising and Pass in Review" instructions.
2. Click to review "Drill Notes" and instructions.
3. Click to review a copy of the "FM22-5" book.
4. Click to review a copy of "The Platoon Guide".
5. Click to review "The Rifle Company Guide".
5. Click to review "The Basic Field Manual FM-21-100".
Military Impressions in the Encampment
The US military impressions for D-Day Conneaut are focused on forces that were stationed in England in late May/early June 1944. Combat and boat teams for the Landings are represented by the 1st DIV, 4th DIV, 29th DIV and 2/5 Ranger Infantry Battalions (Provision Ranger Battalion).
Living History and other niche impressions must be appropriate to the forces that were stationed in England or in late May/to June 6, 1944.
*For female military authenticity regulations, including WACs and Nurses stationed in England and Waves stationed stateside see female specific guides.
Click to review instructions for laying out ones
pack for
inspection.
Click to reivew 1942-1945
Official Army Uniform and Insignia Regulations.
Uniforms
Uniforms and equipment must be original or quality reproductions. Do not include in your display or wear original or reproduction items that do not date to 1944 or earlier. As these are military uniforms of the respective countries, although no longer in use, they should be worn in a manner befitting a soldier of the time period. Shirts are to be worn and tucked in {HBT shirts are not to be worn tucked into the trousers as the HBT uniform was designed to be a “coverall”). Cartridge and pistol belts are to be worn above the hip bones and packs are to ride high on the back. Uniforms should be complete and not mix grades of uniforms or insignia. Appropriate headwear should be worn for the circumstances.
Hair
Hair must be cut to the military standards of the U.S. Army in 1944. Allied male troops should ensure that hair is cut off the ears and collar and sideburns are not below the corner of the eye. Mustaches must be trimmed to the corners of the mouth. Other facial hair is not military for the time period and therefore not permitted. The picture to the right shows several examples of hairstyles. The man bottom left has a longer cut, the men back center have the same style. The men in the foreground have their heads shaved. For US troops planning to participate in the landing, additional requirements apply. These are listed below.BASIC UNIFORM FOR U.S. TROOPS
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M1937 Wool Shirt (special- with gas flap) or unmodified
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M1937 Wool Trousers (special-with gas flap) or unmodified
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M1941 Second Pattern OD Field Jacket (Infantry) or M-1942 Jump Suit Standard, Unreinforced (Airborne)
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Rain Ponchos are strongly discouraged as they were not available
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Long underwear tops and bottoms, though historically correct, are not advisable due to the nature of the temperatures during the event. Please use your best judgement in this regard! · Uniforms should have the appropriate Division patch for unit portrayed if worn
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Absolutely NO Division or organizational SSI besides 1st, 4th, 29th ID, 101st, 82nd AB, and Ranger diamond are permitted to be worn without prior approval from headquarters. Covering up SSI of divisions or units that did not participate in the landing on June 6 with gas brassards is no longer permissible
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Type 2 Service Shoe or Roughout Shoes (Infantry) or Boots Parachutist- Brown, Corcoran (Airborne, Naval Beach Battalion, some Rangers) Type 2 service shoe is preferred!
o For non-airborne impressions (regular or glider infantry) Parachutists Boots, if worn must be worn with leggings -
M1937 Leggings, correctly worn and laced
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Necktie, Khaki Wool Mohair (Required for 2/5 Rangers, otherwise optional)
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Belt - Khaki with open faced buckle for enlisted men
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Undershirt (if desired) - OD A-line undershirt (tank top style) OD. Tan, OD or White T-shirts are prohibited. PT shirts are not permitted be worn as undershirts by any impression!
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Socks - OD - Dog Tags - 1 set US Army
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Overseas Cap with appropriate insignia and braid for branch
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HBT Hats are not to be worn unless you are portraying an impression that would have been issued one, and the brim must be worn down and not flipped up
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Gas Brassard correct color and construction
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M1941 field cap “Jeep cap” (not to be worn in place of the overseas cap)
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M1 helmet shell, fixed or swivel loop Infantry or M2 D loop, M1-C Fixed or Swivel loop with Parachute Jump Liner (Airborne)
o Light colored or "khaki" helmet nets, British manufactured, and small hole shrimp nets are not permitted
o Divisional insignia stenciled on the shell is strongly encouraged, and mandatory for 29th and ranger impressions
o Chinstraps must be of 1944 or earlier configuration. Chinstraps attached with metal clips and/or quick release buckles are not permitted
o Helmet shells must be finished with cork texture and WW2 era OD paint. Sand texture and lime green paint are not permitted.
o Helmet liners must be WW2 style or immediate post war. The plastic “economy” liners are strongly discouraged -
First Aid pouch M1924 or M1942 with bandage
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M1910 canteen (aluminum or Bakelite capped), with correct cover and canteen cup
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M1910 T Handle shovel with cover, standard or short or M1943 Folding shovel with cover, standard or cut down
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1928 Haversack with meat can pouch (Infantry and Glider Infantry). Haversack must have something inside it, no empty packs!!
Weapons, Bayonets and Associated Web Gear
- M1 Garand or 1903a3 model Springfield Rifle (03a3s must be limited to one per boat team)
o 1M1923 Cartridge Belt - Khaki or OD 3
o M1 Bayonet and scabbard (10” or !6” blade length)
o Bayonets will never be fixed or withdrawn from their scabbards - M1 Carbine, no bayonet lug, flip sights only
o Pistol Belt with appropriate magazine pouches
o Absolutely no 30 round magazines - Browning Automatic Rifle
o BAR Belt - Thompson Sub Machine Gun, Full Auto or Semi Auto. Must be in
"Short Barrel"� configuration.
o Absolutely no modern “carbine” or airsoft versions are permitted
o Pistol Belt with 5 cell mag pouches - M1919a4 Machine Gun o Appropriate web gear for a crew served weapon
- Mortars and "Bazooka"
o Absolutely no projectiles will be fired from either weapon
o Must be inspected by the event armorer and test fired in their presence before any usage - M3 Grease Gun
o Must be M3 variant and not M3A1
o Must only be used by appropriate impressions and in appropriate numbers
Officer Impression
- Map/ Dispatch Case (optional)
- Compass Pouch with compass
- M1 Helmet with correct rank and "ETO" bar painted on the back
- Proper insignia for Infantry and appropriate rank on either the shirt collar or field jacket epaulettes
- Officers Style closed face brass belt buckle (optional)
Additional/Optional Items
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Meat Can / Mess Gear (These should not be carried for the landings as they were ordered to be left on the ships, but you will need it to eat at the Mess)
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M1926 Pneumatic Life Belt - Boxers - OD - Assault Jacket (either shade) - may be used in lieu of M1928 Haversack. Not everyone had them regardless of the impression
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Bag, Ammunition, M1
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Assault Gas Mask, Rubber, Black M7, must have something in it to represent a gas mask and respirator
NOT PERMITTED
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Trousers: No 1945 OD 33 shade
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Khaki (suntan) uniform items
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Mechanics Caps (HBT Cap): Unless you are working as a mechanic, or a member of the armored force
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Service Hat (Montana/ campaign)
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Fiber Helmet
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Undershirts: NO PT shirts (unless you are actively doing PT), white and OD/Tan modern t-shirts!
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Viet Nam era liners are prohibited
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Helmet nets: elastic bands, light colored or bleached out, items carried inside net (except Medic brassards) are not permitted
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Aviator sunglasses except for Air Corps personnel
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Shoes/Boots: No M1943 Combat boots (Double Buckle Boots) and no Zipper Type Jump Boots or postwar “conversions”! Absolutely no Red Wing or modern shoes/boots
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Rangers: No Scroll Patches on the shirts or jackets. These were not available to the 5th and 2nd Rangers until long after the Normandy Campaign
U.S. AUTHENTICITY REGULATIONS FOR BEACH LANDINGS
Reenactors representing Allied forces on D-Day are welcome to land on the beach via the landing craft. US infantry that assaulted the beach comprised the 1st, 4th, and 29th Infantry Divisions, the 2nd and 5th Rangers, and the Naval Beach Battalions. If you plan to portray one of these divisions and are not currently a member of the divisions, you must coordinate with and fall in under the respective unit commanders. The requirements for these divisions have been developed by their respective unit commanders.
Additional Required Items for the 4th Infantry
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Trousers - 2nd Pattern HBT
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Jacket - 2nd Pattern HBT w/ 4th Division Patch
Additional Required Items for the 2nd/5th Rangers
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Trousers - 2nd Pattern HBT
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Jacket - 2nd Pattern HBT (to be warn under the M41 jacket)
Additional Optional Items for the 4th Infantry
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M41 jacket for HBT jacket
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Toggle rope (issued to all assault troops in the 4th ID
Additional Optional Items for the 2nd/5th Rangers
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M-1 Helmet with Ranger Lozenge
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Gloves, Style Paratrooper
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M3 Knife
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Air Corps First Aid Packet (tied to M1928 Pack Suspenders or Helmet Net) Gas Masks worn on the chest and not on the leg.
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Helmet nets: there are written accounts of 5D tying ABN Med pouches to the helmet nets.
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Jump or “Ranger boots” are to be kept to a minimum
82nd airborne paratrooper requirements:
1. OD tank top
2. Wool shirt
3. M1942 jumpsuit, reinforced, CC2'ed and AA patch, 48 star flag patch (right shoulder), 82nd leg ties.
4. Corcoran Jump boots. No double buckles.
5. M2 or M1C paratrooper helmet. If portraying 505th, British 1/4inch OD net. No khaki nets or Scrim for 82nd ABN. Leather chin cup optional.
6. Paint your units battalion insignia on helmet.
7. M1936 combat suspenders.
8. M1936 musette bag.
9. If portraying 505th, no cartridge belts. 507 and 508 have access. 505 should use pistol belts and tie down rigger pouches. 507 and 508 can use lift the dot rigger pouches.
10. M1943 entrenching tool or shortened T-handle shovel.
11. Canteen, cup and cover.
12. M1 Garand, M1A1 folding stock carbine, m1A1 and M1928 Thompsons, M3 grease gun, Springfield m1903a4, browning M1919, 60mm mortar, m1 bazooka and BAR m1918a2, m1911.
BANNED 82ND AIRBORNE ITEMS:
1. Scrim
2. Khaki helmet nets
3. No
airborne FAK on helmet
4. Rolled
up sleeves
5. Grease paint will
be regulated
6. Let rope
7.
Gas brassards
8. 3 cell Thompson
pouches
notes:
1. Pockets
should look full. This is representing
D-Day through D+3. Pockets should appear
full. I do not care if it's socks or
underwear. Make them look full. Along
with musette bags.
2. If anyone has
questions about how to CC2 Their
jumpsuits, please email me at:
GLIDER RIDER IMPRESSION REQUIREMENTS:
1. M1941
jacket, 48 star flag optional, AA patch
required.
2. Wool or flannel shirt
3. OD tank top
4. Wool trousers
5. Jump boots
6. M1936 combat
suspenders
7. M1936 musette bag
8.
Cartridge belt or pistol belt
9.
M1943 entrenching tool or shortened
T-handle shovel
10. Canteen, cup and
cover
11. M1 helmet, no khaki nets,
unit insignia allowed
12. M1 Garand,
M1A1 folding stock carbine or infantry
carbine, m1A1 and M1928 Thompsons, M3
grease gun, Springfield m1903a4,
browning M1919, 60mm mortar, m1 bazooka
and BAR m1918a2, m1911
optional GLIDER RIDER ItemS:
1. M3
fighting knife
2. M7 gas mask bag
3. M-1 Bandoliers
4. MKII frag
grenades
5. Gammon grenades
6. GP
bags or Thompson bags
7. M-1
10inch/16inch bayonet
8. Airborne
first aid kit
9. Gas brassard
BANNED GLIDER RIDER ITEMS:
1. Scrim
2. Khaki helmet nets
3. No airborne
FAK on helmet
4. Rolled up sleeves
5. Grease paint will be regulated
6.
Let rope
Basic 505th
Impression:
Advanced 505th Impression (Officer):
325th Glider Infantry Regiment Impression:
LCVP, LVT, and DUKW crews
This impression requires that you operate landing craft and troop disembarkation as your primary function. Safe, efficient embarkation, transport, and disembarkation is your duty. Depicting the men who performed this mission ably and accurately is your obligation.
1. Uniform of the Day Thursday, and Friday and Saturday
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Same as Landings below, except with white or blue “Dixie Cup” cover instead of M1 helmet.
2. Uniform for UK and D-Day Landings
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Chambray Shirt with plain white undershirt.
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Dungaree (blue denim) trousers - Patch pocket, button fly, straight leg, with or without outer seam.
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Shawl collar (blue denim) jacket, or USN N1 or N4 jacket, or M41 Army jacket.
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Optional wet weather pullover, string or clasp, rubberized bibbs.
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Belt - USN black open face or brass closed buckle on black (with denim) or OD (with - utility), unless wearing coverall which has integral belt.
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Socks - OD or White
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Black navy boondockers, rough out brown boots, black deck boots USN/USMC pattern
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M-1 Helmet with 2" Pale Blue/Grey/White Band.
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Dog Tags - Navy, with white or green cord, or PX chain.
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USMC pattern leggings.
3. Appropriate Web/Personal Gear
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US M36 Pistol belt.
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First Aid Pouch, Carlisle - optional.
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Canteen/cup/cover
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Mark I or Mark II Knife and Navy Scabbard.
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“Kapok” Life Vest.
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Gas Detection Brassard - Optional 4. Saturday Dance
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Undress White Navy Jumper, with black shoes and white "Dixie Cup"� Cover.
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Rating should be period correct, Amphibious Warfare insignia -optional
Optional
Navy Dress Blue Jumper, details as above.Optional and Additional Items for Naval Beach Battalions
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6th Naval Beach Battalion: Army Coveralls
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HBT Trousers
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Wet weather pullover, string or clasp, rubberized bibbs
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USN Brass Buckle
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USN N4 Field Jacket with 5th Special Engineers Brigade Patch (That's the Red and Yellow One)
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M-1 Helmet with or without netting, Rainbow Arc, Pale Blue/Grey Band, (Model master FS36118, playing card width) and additional detail of a stenciled name or USN varies pending NBB platoon represented, contact Eric Montgomery, 6th Naval Beach Battalion (stitch@ddayohio.us) for information or Coleman Adamec, 7th Naval Beach Battalion (7thnbbny@gmail.com) on painting the helmets correctly.
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Dog Tags - 1 set of Navy, worn concurrently with Army dog tags
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Hagensen pack for mock explosives (7th Beach Battalion)
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Mark II Knife and Navy Scabbard
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USN Corpsman Bag or a US Naval Medical 1st Aid Bag
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Corpsman Red Cross Arm Band
Optional and Additional Items for Naval Beach Battalions
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Black Rubber Dive Mask
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Slate Lanyard - To document found submersible obstacles and take notes
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Tan WWII Issue Swim Trunks with integral belt
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Mark II Knife and Navy Scabbard with Web Belt
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Lead Line - A simple dive weight and attached string used to mark depths using knots along the string
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Black Churchill Swim Fins
Additional and Optional items for US Armor Crew / US Artillery Crew / U.S. Armor Cavalry Recon / Armored Vehicle Crew
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Shoes and Overseas cap (Armor: green and white piping, Artillery: red piping, Cavalry Piping: Gold) consistent with Basic uniform guidelines
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Undershirt - OD A-Shirt or none
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Shirt - Wool, OD (optional or dickey) - HBT One-Piece Suit (coveralls) (Tankers only)
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HBT Two-Piece Suit, Jacket and Pants (Armored Field Artillery and US Armor Cavalry Recon.Armor Vehicle Crew only) - HBT One-Piece Suit Optional (Armored Field Artillery only)
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Jacket - M41 OD Field Jacket or Winter Combat Jacket (Tanker Jacket)
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1937 Dehner style Tank Boots (Tankers and Armored Artillery only)
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1940 Cavalry Boots (3 buckle or 2 buckle cut down) (Cavalry Recon only)
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Helmet consistent with Basic uniform requirements (Tower Field Artillery Only)
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Helmet - Rawlings Pattern Tank Helmet (Tankers and Vehicle Crews Only)
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Goggles (optional) - Polaroid All Purpose Goggle No. 1021 or M38 Resistal Goggle