At 1948 Original Equipment our aim is to provide you with a shopping window for exceptional Expedition and Personal Gear. Many of our customers use 4x4 vehicles as the means to follow their dreams; this can be as a pack horse or simply to travel in anticipation.  Land Rovers are for many the vehicle of choice for overland trips but our products are just as at home in the backs of Mitsubishis, Toyotas, Nissans or any 4x4.

Our very own 1948 Land Rover inspired us to appreciate how good things can last. Our own travels have broadened an appreciation of nature, landscape and new experiences. This and a feeling of responsibility steers our product selection. We understand that not everyone has a green agenda at the front of their mind, but when we can, let’s do the right thing. We have chosen to power our office and warehouse with green electricity and use where possible recycled packaging.

By buying products that will last and that can be repaired we can all do our bit. Disposable fashion may have become a trend in some quarters – we think it is wrong and want to reverse this. We do not want to preach but just offer a way of ‘Thinking a little differently’.

There has been great travel gear since time began. It has evolved out of necessity and in many cases is just as relevant today as it ever was.

Hats, shirts, backpacks, holdalls, mugs, water bottles, knives, the list can go on and on, all could be termed as Original Equipment. When the Oxford and Cambridge students in the mid 1950s became the first group ever to make an overland crossing in vehicles from London to Singapore, they sought to use the best equipment available and thus two Land Rovers were their chosen transport.

As an example of great design in original equipment our Frost River packs and bags are made to similar designs that have been used for two centuries throughout the rivers and lakes of North America. Every trapper and trail guide would recognise the designs instantly.  It is really only our Survival Gear and Lifeline products that may seem strange to a last century frontiersman.

Our range of clothing and equipment will expand and change quite regularly, and you will see more of our 48OE trade mark being worn and used by friends.

We are working with a bunch of friends and factories in Africa to bring you items tested in the bush and savannah where product choice can be a life saver. We are selling items from The Original Rogue collection, some of the very best travel and safari equipment around. The Rogue Trans Africa Boot is a firm favourite for anyone who knows how important footwear choice can be. If it’s just casual then we know someone who virtually lives in a pair of Rogue Desert Boots.

Our selection of watches has also been very carefully resourced with suppliers we have known for years. We have personally used their timepieces for the last fifteen years and in an outdoor environment we highly recommend them. Many of our watches feature titanium cases and once you have worn them you will know why; they are so light and virtually indestructible. The Momentum Dive Watch or the Bertucci Officer’s Watch are probably the best of their kind.

Throughout the last twelve months we have added many new products. Our 48OE Leather wallet and note books have been a particular favourite as gifts. We love the Kupilka items as they mirror original wooden utensils but are made in modern sustainable materials. We offer a strong selection of knives many from Dave our friend in Colorado who has also provided us with a fantastic head torch and lightweight flash light. The search continues and who knows what Original Equipment 2012 might bring!

This year sees the return of the Olympics to London for the first time since 1948. I am not sure if the Range Rover Evoque will have the same effect on the world as the original Land Rover did when it was launched before the previous London Olympics. However the birth to death (when it comes) carbon footprint of my 1948 Land Rover will take some beating.

We hope you will find our website, 1948 Original Equipment, both enjoyable and informative and that you may just be tempted to buy something from us. If you can’t find what you are looking for let us know. Our customers guide us.

If you want to meet us and see our products up close come and see us at Land Rover shows such as Billing and Peterborough.  For a full listing of all the shows we plan to attend in 2012 please see our news section. You will also find some great pictures of People and Dogs taken at last year's shows in our Blog.

At the shows we will have our fine range of outdoor clothing and equipment plus our survival gear, knives, tools and travel accessories. We will also be unveiling an extended range of Frost River back packs and luggage that really is some of the best gear money can buy. For a mixture of Land Rover expeditions, canoe and overland trekking we have the bag for you!

If you are interested in early Land Rovers we recommend a visit to www.lrsoc.com as this is the home site for the Land Rover Series 1 Club and the Land Rover Early Register.

48OE®