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Summary

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

"My Luftwaffe is invincible. And so now we turn to England. How long will this one last - two, three weeks?" Hermann Goring - June 1940

WWII German M1911 K98 Rifle Ammunition Pouch - Lost and Found Gallery

The K98 pouch manufacturers listed on this web site come from many different sources, including some very large private collections. Every so often, I find a maker mark that is not in the known lists. These K98 pouches are in my collection and were previously unknown to me or the other sources.

1933

Brown pebbled leather dyed all black, including the belt side. Hardware is all aluminum as is typical with early pattern pouches. All clip dividers are present although one rivet has pulled free of an outer pocket. Inside middle pocket is stamped "DRP FFO". The letters "DRP" indicating service in the Deutsche Reichspost. The letters "FFO" are for "Frankfurt an der Oder". This is a Russian capture pouch and previously unknown (to me) manufacturer from the beginnings of the Third Reich. (20081213)

1937

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)

1938

Brown pebbled leather dyed black. Maker mark text in straight line with "LAGO" in a larger font. All aluminum fittings. All dividers present. The two vertical belt straps (smooth finish) are under the lower retaining straps. The two outer lids straps are very difficult to fit over bottom posts. Interestingly, each of the three lid straps have a hole in the center. The location of "NIEDERDONAU" translates to the Lower Danube in Austria. The other pouch from this maker is here. (20081228-01)

1941

Black pebbled leather and steel hardware painted feldgray (30% remaining). All steel fittings, no aluminum. All three clip dividers are intact. Black peddled leather pocket bottom liners. An illegible number, possibly "62" is handwritten inside the end pocket. (20081125)

1943

Late pattern black pebbled leather. Interesting that this salty "been there" pouch still has it's ammunition clip dividers present. Unfortunately one of the belt loops has lost its rivets and reinforcement plate. This most likely occurred well after the war since the spacer was found inside a pocket after purchase and no other parts have been found. This does provide some insight into the construction of K98 pouches. The equipment loop is secured by four large rivets. About 85% of original feld gray paint remains on equipment "D" ring. (20080329)

Black pebbled leather with sewn pocket lids. All metal fittings are steel. Ammunition clip dividers are all present. No RBNr text before number string. Two of the narrower lid straps have been replaced (pre-1945). Pockets are crushed and have lost original shape. Previously unknown RBNr. (20081202)

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