Ammo Pouches of the early DDR?

[Ian Richardson]

Hi, New member Ian here, with some questions concerning some Kar98 pouches I bought a while ago. Not sure of thier origins, or even if they are german! I bought them for $31 ( i didnt have 35, so the guy told me 'give me what you got'), and he told me they were post war made. I dont know post war production codes, and only one of the two has codes. Help me out here?

[Ian Richardson]

Okay, now I feel stupid cuz I cant get the pix up that I took 10 minutes ago of these ammo pouches, so I'll figure it out... eventually. In the mean time I ask for your patience please, as I am new and I really want to learn so much, but its hard to learn when you cant use a computer. I'm such a noob...Sorry.

[MaxxBrunn1938]

Welcome Genosse Ian to the group, since your a new member you can't post photos until you've become an Asst. Member. I'm sure there are other members in here that would be more happy to help you out with your question such as Gordon and Ralph along with Dag and many others. I myself am fairly new to the Group and understanding about the DDR even tho I had a ton of it when the Wall came down.

Joe

[iannima]

I am not an association member and I post MANY photographs All that you need is a photobucket account or similar.
Your K98 pouches I think are more likely to be West German than east. This is just a guess on my part based on the fact that the Bundesgrenzschütz used the K98 in the early days and the rifle is still used by the ceremonial unit of the Bundeswehr: the Wachbatallion. Usage of the K98 in the East, although documented, is much less common.

[Mike G.]

Hi Ian,

As Matteo remarked, you can use a photobucket. The only problem with that is, if you ever delete pictures from the photobucket that were embedded in posts on the forum, to make additional room in the photobucket for more pictures, they disappear from the forum posts.

Another way is to email the pictures to an associate member until you obtain your association membership. The association member can then post them to your thread for you.

You might want to consider becoming an association member for several reasons outside of just being able to post pictures .....

I don't think you can see all 71 pages of the DDR Forum or all pages of other Forums to which regular membership has access. And, there are additional forums to which regular members do not have access outside of the ones you are currently seeing.

[Ian Richardson]

Okay, here are some of the pix. Pouch #1 is maker marked, and pouch #2 is not, and is in a little worse condition.


pouch #1

#1"></a>"]http://<a href="http://s662.photobucket.com/albums/uu342/Ian123456789_2009/?action=view&current=ammopouches003.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu342/Ian123456789_2009/ammopouches003.jpg" border="0" alt="Pouch #1"></a>[/URL]

markings on pouch #1. "RBNr.
0/0675/0122"

http://<a href="http://s662.photobuc...75/0122)"></a>

back of pouch #1. Note square shape of suspender ring

http://<a href="http://s662.photobuc...pouch #1"></a>

pouch #2. Also for Kar98, but of different leather grain

http://<a href="http://s662.photobuc...Pouch #2"></a>

back of pouch #2. Note the rounded suspender ring

http://<a href="http://s662.photobuc...pouch #2"></a>

back of pouch #2- absence of any markings. None on inside either.

http://<a href="http://s662.photobuc...pouch #2"></a>

comparison of button nobs. (pouch #2 on left, #1 on right)

http://<a href="http://s662.photobuc...n right)"></a>

comparison of leather grains (#2 left, #1 right)

http://<a href="http://s662.photobuc...n right)"></a>

My questions are basically if they are West or east manufacture, and of what time period. Like I said before, I got them for $31 from a man who said they were post-war. pouch #1 is in excellent condition, and #2 is missing a strap, but over all in moderate condition. Any info at all would be appreciated. Thanks

[Gordon Craig]

Ian,

RB numbers normally indicate war time mnufacture. Post war pouches have had RB numbers added to make them more valuable. Your RB number follows the wartime examples.
As to different pebbled finish, there were so many manufacturers during the war using so many different materials (a lot of the "leather" pouches made late in the war are actually pressed paper) so don't worry about the difference in the pebbling. It does not indicate war time or post war manufacture. As to who used them, if they were used post war, there is not way of knowing. Both the DDR and the BRD used large quantities of these pouches. The same thing goes for the square versus round Y strap attachments.
They were also sold on the surplus militaria market to Israel and many other nations. Othe nations used identical pouches but the German always used steel accessories on their pouches. Those found with brass accessories were not German made.
A piece of advice, don't get all wrapped up in the minute detail that collectors often go to, such as the pebble grain of the leather, to try and ascertain date of manufacture, who used it etc. During the war, and after, the armed forces issued what they could get their hands on and soldiers used what they were issued. They were not the least bit interested in tyring to find pieces of field gear all made the same year or by the same manufacturer. In reality that would be almost impossible to do from things issued to the individual soldier. As I said previously, he took what he was issued, used it or threw it away as he saw fit. At least during the war. In peace time everything is accountable except for things the person leaving the servcie is allowed to keep and there is always some of that.
Welcome to the forum and I hope that you enjoy your time here as much the rest of who have been here for a while do.

Regards,

Gordon