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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.

(above) German soldiers in white camo winter gear with K98 rifle patronentaschen on the equipment belt. Additional gear includes fur hats, machine pistols, and stick gernades. Picture taken in Russia January/February 1944. (Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-278-0890-16)

Quote

"If necessary we'll fight on the Rhine. It doesn't make any difference. Under all circumstances we will continue this battle until, as Frederick the Great said, one of our damned enemies gets too tired to fight any more. We'll fight until we get a peace which secures the life of the German nation for the next fifty or a hundred years and which, above all does not besmirch our honor a second time, as happened in 1918… I live only for the purpose of leading this fight because I know that if there is not an iron will behind it, this battle cannot be won." - Adolf Hitler 1944

(above) German soldiers on the march in winter gear, spring 1944. Tanks roll along side the road. Picture taken in Russia on March 21, 1944. (Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-090-3912-02A)

(above) Soldier standing guard in front of an unknown gun position at the Atlantic Wall in France. 1944 (Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-299-1829-37)

WWII German M1911 K98 Rifle Ammunition Pouch - Late Pattern Gallery

These are 1944 late pattern pouches from my personal collection (unless otherwise noted). This type of pattern features short vertical belt straps riveted to the lower back, steel fittings and rivets.

1944

Nice example of a dated late pattern pouch. All steel fittings with multiple styles of rivets. No "Rbnr" prefix but there is a "44" over the number string. Rb numbers in straight line. Construction quality in many areas of the German war factories began to suffer toward the end of the war. This pouch is not as good quality as is found in early war pouches. Rivets used on the back are crude, the outer pockets use "bullseye" type rivets. Interestingly the middle pocket uses smooth rivets. All pocket bottoms are sewn. Photos used by permission Joe G of Houston, Texas. (joe_g44-378)

Mint condition pouch, textbook example. All steel fittings with rivets. All rawhide dividers present. Maker mark numbers in straight line. Pouch appears to be unissued. Unknown maker mark. With the exception of the three long pocket strap posts, it matches the one below. (20061216-01)

Superb mint condition pouch, this is the best one in my collection. All steel fittings with rivets used throughout including lids and pocket bottom's. All rawhide dividers present. RBNr numbers in straight line. Pouch appears to be unissued. Unknown maker mark. Tooling marks can be seen where the pocket sides were folded. Short pocket strap posts, matches the example above. (20061216-02)

Irregular black "Stone Wall" pebbled leather pouch. Manufacturer stamp is on belt strap. All steel fittings with rivets used on pocket lids, the pouch pocket bottom's are sewn. Four rivets used on equipment loop. Equipment hook is rectangular. All rawhide dividers are missing. Unknown maker mark. Short pocket strap posts. Purchased from Marcus Bertram in Germany. The transitional pattern 1943 companion to this pouch is here. (20070207-02)

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