Ultimate G43 / K43 Pouch Discussion

[MGN]

Hello everyone,
There have been many threads in the past addressing G43 or K43 pouches. As a collector I would like to have a solid understanding of what I collect. This is why I have decided to start this discussion. I would really apprecaite older collectors that have been collecting for many years to give their opinion on this matter(Chris, Carl, Manny, John Hodgin, etc)
I want to address a few key issues:

What pouches do we know for sure as being original?

Do we feel comfortable with pouches being found in large quantities?

Does anyone especially from Europe have any photos of the leastest repros?

Websites with photos:

http://claus.espeholt.dk/g43_pouches.html

http://www.traubensaft.org/magasin_tasker.htm

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

Hello everyone,
There have been many threads in the past addressing G43 or K43 pouches. As a collector I would like to have a solid understanding of what I collect. This is why I have decided to start this discussion. I would really apprecaite older collectors that have been collecting for many years to give their opinion on this matter(Chris, Carl, Manny, John Hodgin, etc)
I want to address a few key issues:

What pouches do we know for sure as being original?

Do we feel comfortable with pouches being found in large quantities?

Does anyone especially from Europe have any photos of the leastest repros?

Websites with photos:

http://claus.espeholt.dk/g43_pouches.html

http://www.traubensaft.org/magasin_tasker.htm

Michael has asked me to post some photos of pouches from my collection for review. I went through them and picked out the major variations to post here. As pictures speak a thousand words, the more we look at, the better educated we will all be. The first pouch is the infamous black leather BLA 1944 example. This pouch has been reproduced and confuses many of us.

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

Michael has asked me to post some photos of pouches from my collection for review. I went through them and picked out the major variations to post here. As pictures speak a thousand words, the more we look at, the better educated we will all be. The first pouch is the infamous black leather BLA 1944 example. This pouch has been reproduced and confuses many of us.

reverse

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

reverse

MM

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

MM

The makers marks on my pouches are pressed into either the leather or the vinyl for the most part.
The next pouch is the ROS 1944 brown leather made examples. They come with a variety of different belt loops. The leather can be pebbled or smooth, and it can come with a rather thin leather or a very robust thicker leather.

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

The makers marks on my pouches are pressed into either the leather or the vinyl for the most part.
The next pouch is the ROS 1944 brown leather made examples. They come with a variety of different belt loops. The leather can be pebbled or smooth, and it can come with a rather thin leather or a very robust thicker leather.

reverse

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

reverse

MM

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

MM

The next style is the ROS 1944 marked cream colored pebbled vinyl. This pouch exhibits brown leather fittings, and has ersatz cloth belt loops. I think it is one of my favorites!

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

The next style is the ROS 1944 marked cream colored pebbled vinyl. This pouch exhibits brown leather fittings, and has ersatz cloth belt loops. I think it is one of my favorites!

reverse

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

reverse

M Mark

[Willi Z.]

Jeff, what is your take on the first black pouch? The repros of them do not look nearly as nice as the one you posted. I have the same pouch, and know many others that do also..I only hear a few who don't like them. The story of them being brought to the market seems pretty credible.

Willi

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

M Mark

The next pouch is again a cream colored pebbled vinyl. This one however displays black leather trim, and black leather belt loops. This pouch is unmarked. This pouch also lacks reinforcing rivets in the top flap.

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

The next pouch is again a cream colored pebbled vinyl. This one however displays black leather trim, and black leather belt loops. This pouch is unmarked. This pouch also lacks reinforcing rivets in the top flap.

reverse

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

reverse

The next series of pouches are all FUQ 1945 marked examples. I include them here to show the many variations by this maker. First up is a reinforced canvas example with brown leather fittings and black leather belt loops. There are no reinforcing rivets in the top flap. The MM is impressed into the belt loop

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

The next series of pouches are all FUQ 1945 marked examples. I include them here to show the many variations by this maker. First up is a reinforced canvas example with brown leather fittings and black leather belt loops. There are no reinforcing rivets in the top flap. The MM is impressed into the belt loop

reverse