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L021756 PARATROOPER'S SIX COMPARTMENT MP38/40 AMMO POUCH. (MP38 u.40 Patronentaschen)
BACKGROUND: The development of a German sub-machine gun can be traced back to World War I when the requirements for a light weight, quick firing, close combat weapon which could be utilized by a single man was needed in the close quarter, static warfare of the trenches. The primary weapons of the time, the slow firing repeater rifle and the relatively immobile machine gun were found insufficient and the Spandau Rifle Testing Commission began research on developing a sub-machine gun in late 1915. In 1917 the Germans introduced their first sub-machine gun, designated the MP18/I, which was to be the forerunner of all the MP’s to follow. In August 1938 the German army adopted the newly developed MP38. Further developments and improvements and the need for a cheaper mass produced weapon resulted in the introduction of the MP40 in April 1940. Individuals equipped with the MP38/40 were issued a pair of specially designed ammo pouches which each held three thirty-two round stick ammunition magazines. As a result of observations of the Russian experimentation with the newly developing paratroop personnel in 1928 the Germans began serious consideration of also developing paratroop units and plans were drawn up for formation of such units in late 1935. Both the Luftwaffe and Army eventually established paratrooper units, consisting of voluntary personnel, on January 29TH 1936 and March 31ST 1937 respectively and a paratroop training school was established at Stendal in early 1937. Originally development of special clothing and equipment was undertaken by both branches of service to provide the paratroopers with functional items specifically designed with parachute jumps in mind until January 1ST 1939 when all the paratrooper units were transferred to control of the Luftwaffe. One item developed for the paratroopers was a large, single, six compartment, MP38/40 ammo pouch to replace the dual three compartment pouches utilized by ground personnel. It was considered that the larger, single, pouch would be somewhat less bulky to carry but would still provide the same amount of ammunition as the smaller, dual, pouches. Eventually these larger, six compartment, pouches would also be used by ground personnel on a limited basis.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Woven, Luftwaffe, blue/grey, canvas construction, six compartment, MP38/40 ammo pouch with blackened leather and steel fittings. The pouch is roughly, 9" tall, 8 1/4" wide and 1 3/4" thick, with six, vertical, magazine compartments and a single, large, fold over, top, closure flap. The fold over, top, closure flap has a single, machine stitched on, vertical, blackened leather closure strap with a single, stud eyelet, to each outside corner edges. The closure straps attach to leather reinforced, steel studs, positioned on the front of the pouch’s body with corresponding, stitched on, horizontal leather retaining loops. The reverse of the pouch has two, vertical, blackened leather, belt loops with a steel "D" ring attached to the top edge of each belt loop designed to secure a separate shoulder strap which is included. One of the reverse belt loops is well marked with an impressed waffen-amt and the manufacturer’s three letter code and date that appears to be, "jhg 42", indicating manufacture by Gustav Genschow & Co. Abt. Lederwaren-Fabriken of Westerwald in 1942. The reverse of the pouch also has remnants of a faint, white inkstamp that appears to be the designation, "MP. 38 u. 40". When facing the pouch the right hand side has the addition of a small pocket for the speed loading tool. The speed loading tool pocket has a fold over top flap with a stitched eyelet and a corresponding, leather reinforced, steel closure stud positioned on the pocket’s body. The pouch is in overall good condition with light to moderate age and usage toning and about a half dozen small rips and tears. The separate, blackened leather shoulder strap with steel fittings is roughly, 46 3/4" long, 5/8" wide, with a pronged, steel, length adjustment, roller, buckle with thirteen corresponding buckling eyelets and dual leather retaining loops. The ends of the strap each have a steel friction clip. One friction clip is secured by a loop while the other has the strap folded and machine stitched to the reverse. The reverse of the strap is well marked with a faint, inkstamped waffen-amt and the faint, mostly illegible, impressed manufacturer’s code. The strap is in overall good condition with light chafe wear. Scarce six compartment MP38/40 ammo pouch with an even scarcer shoulder strap.
GRADE ***1/2 PRICE $2,695.00
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-E-Mail Address pawmac@nbnet.nb.ca Or guild@nb.aibn.com
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