BACKGROUND: All EM/NCO personnel were issued three leather straps designed to secure the rolled greatcoat to the backpack, etc.. The straps came in two different patterns with one pattern designated, "Mantelriemen für Fusstruppen", (Greatcoat straps for Foot troops), which had an additional auxiliary strap and the other pattern designated, "Mantelriemen für Unberittene der Berittenen Truppen", (Greatcoat straps for unmounted personnel of Mounted Troops), without the inclusion of the additional auxiliary strap. Both patterns of these straps were to become popular for a wide variety of uses.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 53cm long, 18mm wide, natural brown leather construction strap with a pronged, aluminum, roller, buckle and leather retaining loop to one end and seventeen, corresponding, punched buckling eyelets to the other end. The buckle end of the strap is folded over to the reverse and machine stitched down to secure the buckle. The strap has a separate, stitched on auxiliary strap with a single stud eyelet positioned near the buckle end. The main strap has a leather reinforced, corresponding, aluminum stud for the auxiliary strap. Faint makers mark to one end.