top of page
Search

Somme Verdun 1916 Kit Guide

  • 4 days ago
  • 2 min read

1916 on the Western Front was a year of rapid changes, the offensives of 1914 and 15 had forced all sides to reassess both their kit and equipment. France was forced to adopt an entirely new uniform, while all sides saw the adoption of helmet head protection. Mass gas use had forced all factions to adopt gas masks with unique designs appearing and developing rapidly. For Riga Somme-Verdun we at the 1BB applaud the fantastic range of highly researched kits we often see at our events. We firmly believe that getting involved in WW1 Airsoft shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg.


The following guides is meant to help new players looking to get there great war kits started too get their foot in the door on this rapidly growing era. Be sure to grab your era-appropriate bolt action, and you’re ready to pledge fealty to The Kaiser or The Entente. For the items with the asterix* denotes the absolute minimum accepted kit for "Somme Verdun". As ever with our events, we are happy to lend out kit to get you in the field if needed. If you have any questions, please reach out and get in touch at any of our socials or contacts.


Uniform Guides:

The Imperial German Army


Recommended kit


  • M15 Tunic and trousers

  • M16 Stahlhelm / (Feldmutze & Pickelhaube can be used)

  • M1909 Webbing set

  • Jack boots / Ankle boots with grey puttees

  • M1915 Gas mask


*Absolute minimum kit required

  • Grey coveralls

  • FeldMutze / grey or green Snood

  • Plain leather belt (black or brown)

  • Black or brown boots



British Expeditionary Force



Recommended kit

  • 1902 Pattern Service Dress tunic and trousers

  • P08 webbing / 1903 Infantry bandolier

  • Brodie helmet

  • SBR gas mask / PH hood

  • British long puttees


*Absolute minimum kit required

  • Khaki coveralls

  • brown or green Snood

  • Cotton bandolier/leather bandolier (black or brown) or Canvas bag (Tan, Green or white)

  • Black or brown boots

  • Gas Rag


French Army


Recommended kit


  • Horizon blue Wool M1915 Greatcoat and trousers

  • M1905 Webbing

  • M15 Adrian helmet

  • M2 Gas Mask

  • Boots with Horizon blue puttees



*Absolute minimum kit required

  • Horizon blue coveralls / Horizon blue great coat

  • Horizon blue cap or Snood

  • *Cotton bandolier/leather bandolier or Canvas bag (Tan, blue or white)

  • Black or brown boots   



Weapons Guide For Somme-Verdun:


With airsoft it often becomes apparent that making do is the name of the game, often exact matches of weapons are not possible due to the lack of manufactured replicas, but thankfully for Somme Verdun there are plenty of era-appropriate replicas available from the S&T Armament SMLE to the WE Luger. VSR platforms can also serve as a decent, cheap entry rifle. Weapon Rules

All Weapons must be bellow 350fps or 1.14j Sidearms are only to be used by 1BB Officers and & NCO's or by pre selected MG crews to ensure a WW1 bolt action theme remains in place for Riga.

German Weapons Guide: Bolt Actions

  • S&T / Snow wolf Kar98k (Stand in for G98 / Kar98AZ)

  • Trench-Airsoft Gewehr 98

  • Any Wooden stock bolt action* (Without a scope)

Entente Weapons Guide:

Bolt Actions

  • S&T SMLE (BEF)

  • S&T Mosin-Nagant M1891/30 (FA)

  • S&T Type 38 (FA-BEF)

  • S&T M1903 (BEF)

  • Any Wooden stock bolt action* (Without a scope)


bottom of page