WWII German M1911 K98 Rifle Ammunition Pouch - Ground Dug from Narva, Estonia
Ground dug pouches reflect the battlefield in which they were found. Research of the battles can add an interesting history to the pouch. These German K98 rifle ammunition pouches were recovered from the Narva, Estonia area. Photographs shown here were taken in the US.
The Battle of Narva was a battle, or more correctly a campaign, which took place in the first months of 1944 for city of Narva in Estonia. The battle was fought on the Eastern Front during World War II between the forces of the German Heeresgruppe Nord and the Soviet Volhkov and Leningrad Fronts. The first phase of the battle, entitled The Battle for the Narva Bridgehead. This battle took place in the first half of 1944. The second phase of the related battles is called Battle of the Tannenberg Line. The battle is also known as The Battle of the European SS for the large number volunteers and conscripts within the Waffen SS from Estonia, Norway, Denmark, Holland and Belgium engaged on the German side. Although it was an overall Soviet victory, the small German force managed to hold off a Soviet advance for over several months.
1939
SACHS & DEISSELBERG
HAMBURG
1939
Only a few characters at the end of the maker mark can be seen; "ERG and "RG". The maker SACHS & DEISSELBERG HAMBURG is the only name that fits including line spacing distance. Year stamp is clear with "39". Note: More pictures are pending. (20071223-01)
RBNr
0/0485/0002
(inverted)
Clear inverted stamp of RBNr "0/0485/0002" on black pebbled leather. All metal fittings including rivets are steel. Rectangular D-ring may or may not be original to pouch although the RBNr had this type of ring. The outer three pocket section has separated from the back, allowing an insight to the construction. The back has a "B" impressed into the leather surface that would have been inside the pocket. All pocket lids are missing. (20071223-02)