BACKGROUND: The WWII K98 ammo pouches were based on one of two designs of ammo pouches that were originally developed in 1909 and 1911. The 1911 pattern ammo pouches were originally designed for Cavalry personnel but were adopted by the army as a whole in 1933. Generally front line personnel were issued two of these ammo pouches while second line personnel were only issued one pouch. Each pouch would hold thirty rounds of 7.92 mm ammunition. The pouches were utilized through-out the war with minor manufacturing variations. Of Note: The earlier pattern pouches have the belt loops which fold under the pouches bottoms and attach to the studs there, while the latter patterns have the belt loops which are just stitched or rivetted to the reverse. The latter patterns also usually have steel fittings as opposed to the earlier aluminum fittings. The "transitional" pattern pouches display features of both the earlier pattern, belt loops which fold under the pouch bottom and the later pattern, steel fittings. Of Note: Kriegsmarine personnel initially utilized brown leather accoutrements but during the war the leather items were generally blackened.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Early pattern, blackened pebbled leather construction, three compartment, ammo pouch. The pouch is roughly, 7 1/2" wide, 3 3/4" tall, and 1 1/2" thick. The three compartments to the pouch each have a fold back, top lid with a stitched, horizontal, hinged seams to the reverse and a stitched on vertical closure strap to the obverse. All three closure straps attach to corresponding natural aluminum studs positioned on the bottom of each compartment. The reverse of the pouch has two rivetted and stitched on vertical belt loops, which also fold under the bottom of the pouch and attach to the studs there. The reverse also has a single, leather reinforced, rivetted and stitched aluminum "D" ring positioned near the top edge of the central compartment. The reverse of the pouch is also well marked with impressed, Eagle over "M", indicating Kriegsmarine issue and an illegible manufacturers mark. The interior of each compartment has a horizontal catgut band to separate the ammunition stripper clips rivetted in place. The pouch is in overall very good condition with light chafe wear and light age and usage toning.

GRADE ***1/2                             PRICE $78.00