Back or chest cover?

[sudhafen]

Hi, recently received this.

Because of the lack of any stamps, because it looks like new and it looks German this could either be Bundeswehr or NVA. But it could be anything actually.

It can hold something, antenna pole, flag?

It looks smaller on the pictures. The padded part measures about 38 x 25 cm.

Any ideas?

[Collectinsteve]

That's an interesting piece. Add Austria to the possible mix.

My first guess is a mortar tube carrier. The small loop at the bottom secures the pivot point that joins to the mortar baseplate, the two straps above secure the tube.

But that's just a guess

Steve

[uscob]

Was my 1st guess too.
the upper Strap for a Securing ring on the tube, the middle one around the Tube and the lower one for the Connector.
The Ammo Pouch Hooks look German to me.
You find them on Police Equipment for example.

[sudhafen]

I think you guys are right. Thanks! I've found a modern US Army version. Now on for the German name. Granatwerfer Tornister?

[Collectinsteve]

Cool! So it looks like it is German and is for a mortar tube. Based on the leather straps and clips, maybe early BGS? I can't think of any BW equipment with black leather and I'm guessing nobody else was armed with mortars.

Here's the WW2 WH 8cm packs for baseplate, bipod, and tube. Note the similarities of the tube pack!

http://relicsww2.com/index.php?route...roduct_id=1271

Of course it is possible it could be an export item. Though I'm thinking this is mid 1950s and Germany wasn't exporting much of anything to anybody.

Steve

[Klaus1989]

interesting, have not seen such item used by BGS, but i guess could exist. I have photos in my collection, that show mortars in use, although no carrying straps.

I think you guys are right. Thanks! I've found a modern US Army version. Now on for the German name. Granatwerfer Tornister?

it is called a Rückenpolster or a type of Tragegestell für Granatwerfer.

Regards
Klaus

[Collectinsteve]

The BGS had mortars so I'm nearly positive they also had carriers, simply because that was the norm back then. Pictures of carriers in use are pretty tough to come by even for US Army WW2. I guess it wasn't sexy enough for the war reporters.

To give you folks an idea of what a mortar carrier system looks like, here's some stuff on the Yugoslav 82mm mortar:

http://www.lovettartillery.com/82mm%...%20Mortar.html

And if you want a more detailed look, a set of carriers that was for sale but ended unsold yesterday:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8cm-Morta...p2047675.l2557

Steve

[sudhafen]

That thing on the right in the unsold (relisted) ebay lot looks a lot like an early version of my piece.

Should get my hands on Granatwerfer manual. They ought to sah something about a Tragegestell.

A link on the forum to something similar but WW2 http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=352575

[Collectinsteve]

Here are some pics of an oddball black leather strap I've had for a few years. It came as part of a very interesting "Konvolut" on eBay. Lots of rare and unusual stuff tossed in a big pile... fun!

The reason I'm posting this here is the round part of the strap makes me think mortar tube, but it's a bit too small for the 8cm type. I suspect there's another piece and the end of my strap connects to it to adjust the overall strap length. But since I don't even know what this thing is, that's a wild guess!

Here's some pictures of it. Any theories are welcome!

Steve