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The three pocket pebbled leather K98 rifle pouch (Patronentaschen 98K) held thirty rounds of 7.92mm ammunition.  Two pouches were carried by the infantry soldier making this one of the most widely produced pieces of field gear.

Quote

"The restoration of the honor of the German people was the most difficult and the most audacious task and work of my life." Adolf Hitler - Speech to the Reichstag - 30th January 1937

WWII German M1911 K98 Rifle Ammunition Pouch - Early Pattern Gallery

These are early pattern pouches dated 1937. This type of pattern has two belt straps that wrap under each pocket and slips over a post.  Hardware is all aluminum.

1937

Pebbled brown leather dyed black and is stiff from age.  Backside has retained the original brown leather.  Smooth leather on equipment ring mount and two vertical belt straps although one strap has extensive surface wear.  Belt straps under lower retainers.  All aluminum hardware that has not been painted except where the black leather dye was applied.  All stripper clip dividers have been removed.  Maker mark text is in an arc with the city and year in straight line.  Backside of pouch has what appears to be the initials "RP" that may been applied with a hot tool.  Possibly using the same technique, a "tic-tac-toe" pattern with a "X" in the center has been applied to the front center pocket.

Dresden is located in eastern Germany on both banks of the Elbe River. The city suffered serious destruction from Allied bombing raids from February 13-15, 1945.  These controversial raids totally destroyed the older center section of the city, an area that was known to not have any military industry.  Details of the attack can be found on Wikipedia.  Adolph's half-sister Angela Hitler lived in Dresden but moved to Hitler's retreat in Berchtesgaden after the bombings.  Wounds from the bombing can still be found in Dresden today. (20080116)

Pebbled brown leather dyed black.  Back was dyed but is light.  Maker mark text in straight line.  All aluminum fittings show faint signs of having been painted.  All stripper clip dividers present.  The two vertical belt straps (smooth finish) are under the lower retaining straps.

Located in southwestern Germany, Bad Kreuznach is situated along the Nahe River. The city was a major headquarters for the German High Command during WWII.  Badly damaged by bombing raids in the closing months of the war, General George Patton and his Third US Army occupy the city between March 16-18, 1945. (20061005-01)

Pebbled brown leather.  Maker mark text in straight line.  All aluminum fittings, lower pocket posts painted black.  All clip dividers are missing.  The two vertical belt straps (smooth finish) are under the lower retaining straps.  Inside middle lid has "L 37" inventory ink stamp.

On November 12, 1937, the city of Bad Kreuznach officially became a garrison of the German Wehrmacht.  The German soldiers were housed in emergency quarters pending the construction of suitable billets. (20061221)

Pebbled brown leather.  Maker mark text in straight line.  All aluminum fittings, lower pocket posts painted black.  All clip dividers are missing.  The two vertical belt straps (smooth finish) are under the lower retaining straps.  Inside middle lid has a handpainted number of "73". Because the paint is fresh looking, it is considered post war applied.

Luftwaffe marked and named to "Karl Kern".  Dark brown pebbled leather.  Maker mark text in straight line.  All aluminum fittings.  All stripper clip dividers present.  The two vertical belt straps (smooth finish) are under the lower retaining straps.  Pouches are owned by Erwin of the Netherlands and the photos are used by permission.

Nice set of early pattern K98 pouches with matching Wiemar Eagle, maker mark, and Kriegsmarine stamps.  Original brown leather has been period dyed black except for the backs.  All aluminum unpainted hardware.  Pouches were purchased from Rick D of the USA and are now in my personal collection.  The photos are used by permission.

Salty example of a brown pebbled leather dyed black K98 ammunition pouch.  All dividers are present, smooth leather on belt straps and equipment ring mount.  Maker mark text is surrounded by an rectangular outline.  All unpainted aluminum fittings.  The leather is a bit dry with some cracks in the belt straps.  Some of the stitching is coming loose at the lids.  This pouch was offered for discussion on the WAF but didn't bring any comments.  I purchased it two weeks later.  (20070320-01)

Natural pebbled leather that has darkened with age. Except for the belt side, the leather has been dyed black per 1939 regulations.  All dividers are present, smooth leather on belt straps and equipment ring mount.  Maker mark text is surrounded by an oval outline.  All unpainted aluminum fittings. 

Captured by the British Second army on April 4, 1945, the city of Osnabrück, Germany is located in Lower Saxony in the north-west section of the country.  The city was badly damaged from Allied bombings.  The highest night photograph of the war was taken on April 18, 1944, over the city. The RAF Mosquito crew used a target indicator flash and took the picture from 36,000 feet.  German General der Panzertruppen Hermann Balck is buried in Osnabrück. (20070102-02)

Panzer unit marked, "1./Pz. 15" stamped clearly in ink inside lid of left compartment.  "B 37" stamped in ink inside lid of center compartment.  Pebbled brown leather dyed black.  All aluminum fittings were not painted.  Two dividers present although left compartment divider is broken and center missing.  The two vertical belt straps (smooth finish) have not been under the lower retaining straps.

The 15th Panzer Regiment was formed on October 12th, 1937.  (Not sure how the 15th Pz.Reg. got from 1. to 5.).  The 15th Panzer Regiment was a member of the 5th Panzer Division (also known as the 8th Panzer Brigade) formed on October 25th of 1938 at Oppeln) and participated in the invasion of Poland and France.  The regiment was detached from the 5th Panzer Division on September 4, 1940 to become part of the newly formed 11th Panzer Division.  History of the 11th Panzer Division is here and went on to fight at Stalingrad.

Allied air attack on Goch Germany destroyed 80% of city on February 8, 1945.  The city is located in western Germany in Rhine country.  Goch is also known as the manufacturer code "cxb".  Most of these pictures were taken on a repainted Panzer I at the US Army Ordnance Museum, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, USA. (20061121)

Dark brown pebbled leather.  Missing all dividers, smooth leather on belt straps and equipment ring mount.  Maker mark text is circular shaped around year.  All unpainted aluminum fittings.  Large font illegible impression inside of middle lid "? 37" and on the inside of center lid strap what appears to be "I.H.K.dtr.Wde".  The letters "I H K W" are clear but the others are harder to read because of the unfinished leather.  Right strap has a two line illegible impression.  This maker has been known to also make binocular cases.

The city of Hamburg, Germany was bombed extensively during the war.  These raids and the terrible firestorm that resulted from the July 27, 1943 bombing is detailed on Wikipedia.  The July bombing stunned even the Nazi leadership. (20060827)

Brown pebbled leather.  Missing all dividers, smooth leather on belt straps and equipment ring mount.  Maker mark text is in a straight line.  Most of the aluminum fittings have been painted black indicating this is a Russian capture pouch.  Inside of middle lid has a impression stamp of "K3".  Previously unknown (to the author) manufacturer. (20071229)

Chocolate brown pebbled leather with brown tread used in construction.  All dividers intact, smooth leather on belt straps and equipment ring mount.  Maker mark text is in straight line over year.  All painted aluminum fittings.  Ink stamp inside left pocket lid "L LNS" (Luftwaffe Nachrichten Schule) or Air Force Training School.

The city of Osnabrück is located in northwestern Germany.  Two-thirds of the city was destroyed by Allied bombings and thousands of civilians killed.  The city was first bombed on September 4, 1939 and ended on March 25, 1945.  The city was captured by the British Second Army on April 4th, 1945.  (20080121)

Brown pebbled leather dyed black.  All dividers intact, smooth leather on belt straps and equipment ring mount.  Maker mark text is arched over straight city name.  All painted aluminum fittings.

The city of Hannover is located in northwestern Germany.  During WWII, two-thirds of the city was bombed to ruins.  Hannover was in the British zone of occupation of Germany after the wars end. (20070225-01)

Brown pebbled leather dyed black.  All dividers missing, smooth leather on belt straps and equipment ring mount.  Maker mark text is circled around a large "S".  Interesting to note that the maker stamp has been done twice and each stamp is 180 degrees from the other.  This makes it difficult to read text around logo.  All black painted aluminum fittings indicating a Russian capture pouch.  Stamped impression inside middle pocket lid is unit marked "3./J.R.74 / I". (20080118-01)

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