WWII German M1911 K98 Rifle Ammunition Pouch - Early Pattern Gallery
This page is for 1940 early pattern pouches. This type of pattern has two belt straps that wrap under each pocket and slips over a post. Hardware is all aluminum.
1940
CARL KUNTZE
PENIG SA
1940
Black pebbled leather. Unpainted aluminum hardware. Smooth leather on two vertical belt straps and equipment ring mount. Inside of the right lid is the ink stamp "WG". Carl Kuntze Sattlerwarenfabrik (Penig) is also known by maker code of "bmu".
The town of Penig is located in Saxony, Germany, about 50km south of Leipzig. The letters "SA" could be an abbreviation for Saxony. The Penig concentration camp was located near the town. (Photos used by permission - Chris of Oslo, Norway)
FRANZ BREHME
WALSRODE 1940
Brown pebbled leather dyed black except for the backside. All aluminum hardware is unpainted. Inside middle lid has remains of glue from what may have been a soldiers name tag. Pouch is in overall very nice condition. (20070804)
GRAF
1940
LEIPZIG
Brown pebbled leather. All aluminum hardware is unpainted. Photos used by permission - Mike K of Maryland
Ph. Gothmann
Braunschweig 1940
Salty dark brown/black pebbled leather. All aluminum hardware is unpainted. The reenforcements for the rivets show partial corrosion. The ammunition dividers are all present. While this pouch is in rough condition, it has that "been there" look to it. All three pouch lid strap ends are broken. Both outer pocket lid corners are torn. This manufacturer is not seen too often. Despite the pouch's condition, the maker mark is very clear. 20080507
The medieval city of Braunschweig is located in the northern half of Germany in Lower Saxony. According to Wikipedia, "The city was a Sub-area Headquarters (Untergebiet Hauptquartier) of Military District (Wehrkreis) XI. It was also the Garrison Town of the 31st Infanterie Division, which took part in the invasions of Poland, Belgium, France, and Russia. It was one of the units that was destroyed during the withdrawal from Russia at the end of the war."
Braunschweig was first bombed by the RAF on August 17, 1940, resulting in the deaths of seven people. The city was a prime target for allied air forces who conducted numerous night air raids during the war. From January 27, 1943 on, air raids were also conducted by the USAAF during the day. On the night of October 14-15, 1944, the city was subjected to a massive bombing effort by the No. 5 Group RAF. The resulting firestorm created such a strong wind that small items were sucked up into the air. Braunschweig burned for two and half days following the raid. The complete story of this raid can be found here on Wikipedia.
WILH.BRAND
HEIDELBERG
1940
Chocolate brown pebbled leather. All of the hardware is aluminum and unpainted although some of the fittings on the back have a gold tint but are not brass. All dividers present. A small number three (3) is stamped under right-hand lid (see yellow arrow above). A number eight (8) is also stamped under the center and middle lids. A handwritten scripted "W" is present under the left and right lid straps.
The city of Heidelberg is located in southwestern Germany between Stuttgart and Frankfurt. General George Patton refused to have the city bombed and as a result, survived World War II undamaged. Patton died in the military hospital at Heidelberg on December 21, 1945 after being involved in a car accident on December 9. (20070113)