I am a WW1 re-enactor and am modifying one of my uniforms to portray a Sucker Punch German soldier zombie at this year's Comic-Con. The uniform is a standard Model 1907/10 Feldrock with Model 1907/10 piped trousers. Short boots and putees are worn, but I will wear my infantry boots instead. Black leather gear is worn, to include the Gew 98 cartridge pouches, belt and Y-straps. The buckle is interesting...it appears to be a Prussian style buckle, but instead of saying "Gott Mit Uns," the SP art book shows a part of the motto saying "Fruchtlos," which means "fruitless"...an inside joke, maybe? Other gear includes the WW1 bayonet scabbard (for the Con, I'll leave the bayonet at home), breadbag, canteen and mess tin (the movie zombies wear a Wehrmacht/Bundeswehr mess tin, but I will use the larger WW1 version). Most of the zombie soldiers wear what looks to be the Model 1918 steel helmet, but I think that the helmet skirt was cut down for stunt work. Other wear a cloth-covered pickelhaube (spiked helmet)...I am going to wear an uncovered pickelhaube with rusted steel hardware (it looks more zombie-like and steampunk-ish, in my opinion).
The major modification is in the gas mask. The mask worn by the majority of soldiers is an early WW2 U.S. and Canadian mask, modified to have dual hoses running to a tank worn on the soldier's back. I found a 1942 Canadian gas mask on eBay, removed the hose and filter and am replacing the glass in the eyeholes with screen, so that I don't have to worry with fogged-up lenses as I'm walking around the Con. These modifications also don't destroy the original gas mask in case I want to return it to original. The hoses are fabric-covered Russian gas mask hoses, with a 40mm fitting. I am actually using a WW2 Wehrmacht horse (yes, horse) gas filter for the gas canister on the back, replacing the single outlet hose with two 40mm fittings to accept the Russian hoses. I'll scratch-build a leather harness to keep the canister stable on my Y-straps. The only thing that is a challenge right now is how to convert the single intake fitting on the gas mask to accept two hoses; worst case, I can use a T-fitting but the hoses will run out perpendicular from a single fitting, rather than two separate outlets running out at a downward angle, as seen in the movie.
I will probably wear a latex zombie mask underneath it all to cover my neck and the back of my head (exposed under the helmet) because with the wool uniform and full-face covering, I expect to sweat a lot and makeup doesn't hold up well under those conditions. If I really get into it, I might stitch the gas mask to the latex mask for that mask-sewn-directly-onto-the-face look, but then I won't be able to restore the mask back to original (it is a wartime relic). I also don't want to mess up the uniform (tear it up to look zombie-ish, or stain it with makeup) because I do use it elsewhere. It may look too pristine, but should make for a respectable impression.
As a soldier, I should probably carry a rifle but don't know if Security at the Con will let me. I have an airsoft spring-loaded version of the WW2-era Mauser 98k...I will see if Security will let me carry that, even if I have to remove the bolt.
My daughter will be going with me as Amber.
- Parks