Unorthodox and rare MP40 pouch

[Greif7]

I recently did some further investigation in these pouches. I traced a pair of pouches that I would consider a missing link between the pictured pouches and the more "regular" manufactured pouches. These "missing link" pouches would categorize as more "textbook" pouches with metal tips at the front straps but still have the ammo belt corner D-ring straps. Manufacturer is in my opinion Friedrich Offerman & Söhne from Bensberg (dkk). A well know MP38 and MP40 pouch manufacturer.

A photo would say more that a 1000 words but I cannot publish any photos for some reason here. If you are interested maybe somebody can do this for me. I'm more than happy to mail the photos to you.

rgrds,

info@mp40.nl
www.mp40.nl

[me6_130]

I guess you mean these:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=881227

I was also doing some research on then, and I do think they are the missing link between the early six cell with american ammo belt loops and the later webbing mag pouches.

Carles

[me6_130]

There are some problems with WAF lately... Trying to upload some pics of the three kinds of pouches I believe were made by same maker:

What do they have in common? American cloth ammo belts as straps or for D ring and rivets to hold spacers or leather reinforcements. Seems to be only maker that uses them, and only in early production.

Carles

[Willi Z.]

Interesting updates.

[Fsoq]

Hello,
Reading this thread, I remember having this strap found years ago with other german stuff. Always wondering what it might be. It shows the quite similar square buckle and stitching of the early 6 pockets amo pouch.
Any idea ? Maybe for a MP38/40 ? To hang something ? It is 105 cm long (41 inches)
Thank you

[ton g]

Hi FSOQ,

your belt was used for the british Stengun. I've had a localy found untouched Sten from a barn with the exact same belt.
Should have some photo's of it somewhere...

Grss

[me6_130]

I was going to suggest it looked like some kind of "ersatz" rifle sling. Might have been used with Sten guns...but that Z stitching by the buckle does look like the stitching of the MP belt loops at the back of the pouches.... The buckle doesn't look like that on the MP strap, though.


Carles

[Greif7]

Thanks me6_130 for placing the pictures of the "missin link" pouches. That's the exact pair I meant. Pretty sure they have been manufactured by Friedrich Offerman & Söhne from Bensberg (dkk). Probably in 1938/1939.

[Fsoq]

Hi FSOQ,

your belt was used for the british Stengun. I've had a localy found untouched Sten from a barn with the exact same belt.
Should have some photo's of it somewhere...

Grss

Thank you Ton g,
Yes, when you have time, I'd like to see your belt please.
Thanks

[Fsoq]

I was going to suggest it looked like some kind of "ersatz" rifle sling. Might have been used with Sten guns...but that Z stitching by the buckle does look like the stitching of the MP belt loops at the back of the pouches.... The buckle doesn't look like that on the MP strap, though.


Carles

Thank you Carles,
I also think that it is for a machine gun.
Does anybody could give me measurement of a MP40 sling please ?

Just another photo with the similar buckle (Ausrüstung Vol2)

[me6_130]

Thank you Carles,
I also think that it is for a machine gun.
Does anybody could give me measurement of a MP40 sling please ?

Just another photo with the similar buckle (Ausrüstung Vol2)

That one seems to be the same posted by Reidar in post #56. I hadn't realised the kind of buckle it had. That could certainly relate your sling to the same German manufacturer, as material (ammo belt), buckle and the stitching seem to be the kind of those MP pouches seen previously.

But... if the maker produced that kind of MP40 mag pouches and transport straps, he could have made other "ersatz" equipment... as rifle or MP slings. Could it be for any other MP, not just for a Sten but later used on a Sten?


Carles

[me6_130]

Thanks me6_130 for placing the pictures of the "missin link" pouches. That's the exact pair I meant. Pretty sure they have been manufactured by Friedrich Offerman & Söhne from Bensberg (dkk). Probably in 1938/1939.

Thanks for confirming Alex. My pouch will match the nice set 1939 of mags I've got. Do you think these pouches are made in that crude way, and using recycled material (ammo belts and leather) because the were very early or just because production wasn't standard yet? or perhaps due to need of producing a lot of equipment for the Wehrmacht at the begining of the war?...

Carles

[LOTHRINGEN]

Here is my strap ... not exactly the same

[me6_130]

Looks really nice in that crispy pic Could you show the rest of the pouch?

Carles

[Greif7]

Pouch looks very familiar, Lothringen

Alex

info@mp40.nl
www.mp40.nl