Help Identifying German(?) G3 Canvas Pouch

[coldwarrior]

I have a couple of olive canvas pouches that are supposedly "early German G3 pouches" They are unmarked and were purchased from Numrich but can also be purchased from Liberty Tree Collectors. I haven't been able to find any info about these pouches as to who used them and for what rifle. I took photos to upload, but I guess I'm not allowed attachments since I'm a new member. So instead here are the photos that Liberty Tree Collectors is using. Could someone be kind enough and help me out?

[Guardian 5]

Hello coldwarrior from a fellow Cold Warrior,

Welcome!

While I can't say for certain, I believe these pouches may be of Spanish or Portuguese origin. Both countries employed the CETME, which was in fact the "father" of the G3.

The first G3's issued to the Bundeswehr still had 'CETME' stamped on the receiver.

I'll post pictures of all the "known" versions of the G1/G3 pouch employed by the BRD below. Never say never though, you may have stumbled upon some rarity. Some advanced collectors will sort us out pretty quickly if we are barking up the wrong tree.

On the subject of pictures, if you are an associate member and have parted with the $25.00, you should be able to post pictures. If not, you can finesse pictures onto the forum via picture sharing services. You can also send me a private message via the forum. I'll reply with my regular e-mail address and you can send me your pictures which I can post on your behalf.

Up first below is the leather G1/G3 pouch used mainly by the Bundesgrenzschutz but also by the Bundeswehr in very limited quantities.

Again, welcome to the forum.

All the best,
TJ

[Guardian 5]

Here is the G1/G3 pouch in canvas as issued to the BGS. It is extremely rare! I know of only one member of the forum who owns this type of pouch.

[Guardian 5]

Here is a very early and experimental G1/G3 pouch as issued to the Bundeswehr. It is probably the only piece of gear more hard to find than the canvas pouch shown above. Again, I know of only one forum member who owns this style of pouch. You guessed it, the same guy who owns the canvas BGS pouch...

[Guardian 5]

I snapped this picture some years ago in the Technical Museum in Koblenz. It is the only place I have seen them in person.

[Guardian 5]

This is the familiar "Division 59" / Heeresstrutkur 3 model which served for many years.

[Guardian 5]

This picture shows the hard plastic model which starting being issued in the late 1970s along with variations in the Uzi magazine pouch.

[Guardian 5]

The last style, here seen in the hard to find olive drab version, is more commonly found in the "flecktarn" camouflage pattern.

That's all of the styles that I am familiar with. Hopefully someone with more expertise will solve the mystery of your pouches.

All the best,
TJ

[coldwarrior]

Thank you for your replies and photos! I do hope someone on the forum knows who used these pouches and for what, because I can't find anything about them any where!

On Numrich they are labeled as "German Pouch" while Liberty Tree calls them the "Early G3 Pouch". The 4 I received were very much used, with one being in very good condition and the other 3 being fair to good. I defiantly recommend to anybody that picks some up to buy a few to better your odds.

The last style, here seen in the hard to find olive drab version, is more commonly found in the "flecktarn" camouflage pattern.

I do own a few of the pouches you listed - the olive leather ones from the 60's, the plastic green ones from the 80's, the olive drab from the 80s and the flecktarn version. I also own both versions of the Portuguese ones like this. (not my photo) http://s343.photobucket.com/user/Ped...819-1.jpg.html

I also sent a message to you requesting your email address too, thank you again!

[Asbjoern]

Maybe these pouches were made in Germany for export - but nothing on the resembles to any other item used by the Bundeswehr.

The pictures shown by TJ show all kinds of known pouches used by the Bundeswehr and the BGS for magazins of the G3 as wall as the G1 (maybe except for the doubled version of the grey leather pouch) - so I see no chance for beeing original BW stuff...

Jens

[Collectinsteve]

I agree that this is not a German issue pouch, but I also don't know what it is. I'm 99% sure it isn't Spanish as I have an extensive collection of Spanish field gear going back to the early 1960s and this pouch shares no similarities in terms of features or construction.

Possibilities:

Pakistan
Norway

I do not believe it is Danish.

Let's remember that the surplus companies are not very good sources of information. They're fine with filling in the blanks with unverifiable information. They are, after all, trying to sell stuff not educate the public

Steve

[hoover]

I snapped this picture some years ago in the Technical Museum in Koblenz. It is the only place I have seen them in person.

I have them, with the matching combat pack. I am knowing 3 sets, one in Koblenz, one in Garstedt and mine.

The pouches from the start are not Bundeswehr. But also not Portogese or Turkey.
Interesting pouches.

[Guardian 5]

I have them, with the matching combat pack. I am knowing 3 sets, one in Koblenz, one in Garstedt and mine.

The pouches from the start are not Bundeswehr. But also not Portogese or Turkey.
Interesting pouches.

Wow Frank!

Congratulations. Could you show us the pack sometime?

All the best,
TJ

[Terry53]

wow! this has been a very educational thread!
thanks to all who have posted and shared their knowledge and photos.
Terry

[ReinerMB42]

Canvas G1-pouch

Here is the G1/G3 pouch in canvas as issued to the BGS. It is extremely rare! I know of only one member of the forum who owns this type of pouch.

Hi TJ,

this pouch seemed to be used not only by BGS, but also by the BePo/Landespolizei. I own one in a light olive colour. Maybe Schleswig-
Holstein or Berlin? Didn´t see a photo of it in use yet, only of the BGS-ones.

Best regards

Reiner