I've been trying to figure out the origin of this pouch for some time. One person claimed it was a BGS flare pouch, but I am uncertain. Can anyone identify this? (no markings present).
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Size of the Pouch, diameter of the loops?
Maybe we find out by the measurements.
But my first thought was also for Flare Ammo and the green is typical BGS.
Nico -
Thank you for the response. I will post additional information when I get home.
I should have added this to the original post, as the holster in question has also eluded it's use. The below picture has 2 holsters, the upper holster is commonly received with the current run of surplus German flare pistols. The bottom holster is different (smaller with no side pouch or loops). I would like to know which departments used this variation. It does have a Bundes number on the inside.
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The pouch is:
7-1/2" tall
6-7/8" wide
1-1/2" thick
Loops are for the 26.5mm/27mm flares.Comment
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Reichpaper - I would like to second Nico's contention that the article in Post #1 is a BGS issue flare pouch for use with the P2 26.5mm flare pistol.
The P2 was first manufactured by GECO (Gustave Genschow Co.) with Heckler and Koch taking over production and manufacturing a modified version (P2A1) in the late 1970s. You appear to have both models; please accept my congratulations! Do you have variations from presently unrecorded manufacturers?
Bearing more than a passing resemblance to the wartime Leuchpistole 42, the P2 could also be modified to fire non-lethal riot control munitions. Each squad carried one, generally by the assistant squad leader or radioman.
In the below picture, you can see my GECO manufactured P2 with BGS issue flare pouch. Note that the holster has a BGS green strap; my only clue to the service that carried it.
Photographic evidence (see next post) would suggest that the larger model holster was issued to the Bundeswehr. I cannot confirm however, that the BW used this model exclusively. Nor can I confirm that the BGS only carried the smaller model holster. I am comfortable in stating that my particular set-up was at one time issued to the BGS. There is a third, map case shaped holster, which I have observed issued with the P2A1 only.
Thanks for sharing your pictures. Please pass on any additional info you may gain through your research to the BRD forum.
All the best - TJComment
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Here is a picture of a 1980s (Heerestruktur 3) era Panzergrenadier equipped with a G-3 rifle and a P2A1 flare pistol in the large model holster.
TJComment
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Thanks for the information. It's good to finally clear this up. As for my pistols, both P2's are made by Geco, one Bw marked the other not. The P2A1's are made by H&K, both Bw marked. I also have a Rak Pist 78. Related, but not
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Reichpaper - You've got a great collection.
If you ever get a hankering to fire off a flare or two, make sure you do it over water or snow. Those flares burn real hot and could spark a big forest fire with the right conditions.
Here's a picture from the 1974 edition of the Bundeswehr's Taschenbuch fuer Wehrausbildung (roughly " military training handbook"). It shows a P2 "Signalpistole" in a "Tragetasche" (holster).
Again, thanks for sharing your pictures and knowledge.
TJComment
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I don't plan on firing anything through them. I'm always worried about taking away their new status.
I'm curious to learn whether there is a pattern to the barrel finishes on the P2 and P2A1. Where both P2's are parked, one of them has a shiney blued barrel. The P2A1's, one barrel is parked, the other a smooth blue.Comment
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