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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.

Soldat with full gear including K98 pouches supported by combat Y-straps. (Authors Collection)

Quote

"The Germans may claim with some justification to have won if not a victory at least an important success over us." British General Alexander - September 1943

(above) Trumpeter gives signal for the detonation of the old port district in Marseille, France. This was done to reduce Resistance activities. February 1943 (Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-027-1481-17)

(above) Yugoslavia .- police deployment, troop transport on boat with twin Flak gun. 1943 (Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-005-0015-14)

WWII German M1911 K98 Rifle Ammunition Pouch - Transitional Pattern Gallery

These are 1943 transitional pattern pouches from my personal collection.  This type of pattern has features from both the early and late patterns.  Steel fittings, stitching and rivets, long vertical belt straps that wrap under pockets.

1943

Original brown pebbled leather. Does not appear to have been dyed black.  A mix of aluminum and steel fittings.  Only the oval backing plates on the upper belt straps are aluminum, everything else is steel.  Clip dividers dividers are missing.  The two vertical belt straps (smooth finish) are under the lower retaining straps.  The top of the middle lid has significant wear to the leather.  An ink stamp of "128" is under each of the outer lids.  Large Kriegsmarine acceptance stamp on belt strap. Wing span of well detailed eagle is 21mm (although the right wing tip is off the strap) with the claws grasping a wreathed swastika.  The eagle and swastika measures 13mm high.  The "M" is stamped below the eagle and measures 5.5mm high and 4.5mm wide. (20071110-02)

Salty "been there" black leather pouch.  Clip dividers are not present with most rivets pulled from all pockets.  Black peddled pattern almost absent on pocket leather with only a trace remaining.  Pebbled pattern still visible on lid, back, and lid straps.  Steel fitting used throughout with early type lid straps making this a classic example of a transitional patronentaschen.  Hardware painted black and no paint loss under D-ring makes this a likely Russian capture pouch.  No bottom pocket liners.  Maker mark text in straight line.  Underside of lids have impressions made from clips having once been inside.  Impressions from belt buckle made in left belt strap show that it was at one time worn on the right side of a soldier.  (20070107)

French made black pebbled leather pouch.  All clip dividers are missing.  Most hardware is steel except for the aluminum washers in lower belt strap retainer.  All hardware is painted black, possible Russian post war applied.  D-ring equipment hook.  Equipment loop is made of black pebbled leather and is attached with two single rivets.  Maker mark text in straight line. (20070409-02)

Irregular black "Stone Wall" pebbled leather pouch.  Manufacturer stamp is on belt strap.  All steel fittings except for the middle lid strap post which is aluminum.  Two rivets used on equipment loop.  Equipment hook is in the shape of a "D" ring.  All rawhide dividers are missing.  Unknown maker mark.  Standard length pocket strap posts.  This pouch as a line pressed into the edges of the belt straps and along outer edge of pocket lids.  Purchased from Marcus Bertram in Germany.  The late pattern 1944 companion to this pouch is here. (20070207-01)

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