BACKGROUND: The MG-13 (Maschinengewehr 13) was an air-cooled and recoil operated machine gun that was converted from the water cooled WWI Dreyse MG1912. It used 25 round box magazines or 75 round drums. It was introduced Reichswehr in 1930 but was withdrawn from service in 1934 after the introduction of faster firing MG-34. The majority of the MG-13s’ were sold to Portugal with the rest being put into storage and were eventually brought back into service with the outbreak of the war. It was used mainly by second line troops though out the war.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A pair of matching magazine pouches with a connecting shoulder strap. Each pouch was designed to carry four 25 round magazines. They are canvas and leather construction, slightly arched, about 17" long by 4 3/4 wide by 2 1/2" deep, with fold over flaps to each end. The fold over flaps have matching leather rectangles sewn to either side with riveted on ovals of steel to the outside, with 1 1/4" by 1/4' slot to the center, that mate with a steel loop that is riveted to the pocket of the pouch. There are two retaining straps with pointed metal tips, about 4 1/2" by 3/4", one sewn to the pouch and one to the other flap, which are used to lock the flaps in place when closed. Sewn to the concave side are two leather loops, 2" by 5/8", about 5 1/4" apart, which have a length of web strap folded over at each end and stitched to itself, about 8 1/4" by 1", passing though them to create carrying handles. Sewn to the back of the pouches are two leather loops, about 2 3/8" wide by 2 1/2" long, though which pass the shoulder carrying strap. Sewn in place between the leather loops is a brass stud which passes though eyelets on the strap to lock it in place. The web shoulder strap, about 63 1/4" long by 2" wide, has two leather straps sewn to it, about 19" from each end, each with four, teardrop shaped, adjustment eyelets and run to the ends of the web strap and where they end in a steel oval plate, the same as on the pouch, which mates with the same style steel loop and tab sewn to the web strap. Although some of the leather is starting to stiffen and crack and the pouches are usage soiled and exhibit usage wear, one more than the other, all the stitching is intact except for one small tear in the side seam on one pouch. A nice set of magazine pouches that would look good on a mannequin display.

GRADE***1/2                             PRICE $180.00