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**Gustaf B** · 01-22-2011, 01:25 AM

Here is a thread that covers this question,
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...=473492&page=2
If you have specific questions, ask away!
Gus

**RelicHunter** · 01-22-2011, 06:25 PM

I guess my main question is the belts and gear that attach to it.

The US used web belts with a series of grommets and hooks. Was the German belt nothing more than a standard belt with buckle that slid through the backs of ammo pouches and other gear?

From pictures I've seen of ammo pouches, it appears that this is the case. But how does the canteen, mess kit, and other items attach?

Did the Germans use the equivalent of haversacks? I'm curious how they carried most of their daily necessities.

**DennyB** · 01-22-2011, 06:54 PM

When the belt is laid out flat, the belt buckle will be on the far left end, then a ammo pouch, then the entrenching tool with the bayonet attached to it. Then in the area which would be over the right hip is the bread bag, the water bottle is often attached to the breadbag, sometimes a spare gas mask filter carrier is attached then, another ammo pouch and the belt end hook.
The gas mask cannister is usually suspended by a separate strap and hangs over the left hip between the entrenching tool and breadbag.
I hope this is what you were looking for.

**RelicHunter** · 01-22-2011, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by DennyB View Post

When the belt is laid out flat, the belt buckle will be on the far left end, then a ammo pouch, then the entrenching tool with the bayonet attached to it. Then in the area which would be over the right hip is the bread bag, the water bottle is often attached to the breadbag, sometimes a spare gas mask filter carrier is attached then, another ammo pouch and the belt end hook.
The gas mask cannister is usually suspended by a separate strap and hangs over the left hip between the entrenching tool and breadbag.
I hope this is what you were looking for.

thanks for the info! That definitely helps a lot.

Is this a correct description for wearing the ammo pouches (with the belt and straps)?

http://www.grantsmilitaria.com/milit...es.asp?key=125

**Gustaf B** · 01-22-2011, 07:33 PM

That discription is correct for the photo shown, but bear in mind that there are several different types of ammo pouches, the standard three pocket M1909 is shown in that photo, but there are also several single pocket types that can be substituted, and for a later war impression, the belt and pouches should be blackened.
Best
gus

**RelicHunter** · 01-22-2011, 09:05 PM

Originally posted by Gustaf B View Post

That discription is correct for the photo shown, but bear in mind that there are several different types of ammo pouches, the standard three pocket M1909 is shown in that photo, but there are also several single pocket types that can be substituted, and for a later war impression, the belt and pouches should be blackened.
Best
gus

I rather like the look of the dual three pouch belt. Would it be incorrect to match 1916-18 gear with brown pouches? Or would it have been common place for a soldier to have retained older gear while trading in his helmet and other items for newer models?

**Gustaf B** · 01-22-2011, 11:13 PM

It would be possible to find some pouches late in the war that were not blackened, or lightly blackened, as there were shortages of everything.
Best
Gus

**RelicHunter** · 01-23-2011, 02:54 PM

Thanks for the continued info. Sorry to be a bother.

I've seen lots of the different nation state belt buckles, with the Prussian "God is with us" being the most common. I also see them sometimes for sale with part of the leather tab.

My question is, are the buckles able to be taken out and put on other belts? I assume the extra piece of leather belt tab that comes with some is beyond repair.

**PlaceOfBayonets** · 01-23-2011, 04:57 PM

Originally posted by DennyB View Post

When the belt is laid out flat, the belt buckle will be on the far left end, then a ammo pouch, then the entrenching tool with the bayonet attached to it. Then in the area which would be over the right hip is the bread bag, the water bottle is often attached to the breadbag, sometimes a spare gas mask filter carrier is attached then, another ammo pouch and the belt end hook.
The gas mask cannister is usually suspended by a separate strap and hangs over the left hip between the entrenching tool and breadbag.
I hope this is what you were looking for.

Photos for added emphasis...

Attached Files

**Gustaf B** · 01-23-2011, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by RelicHunter View Post

Thanks for the continued info. Sorry to be a bother.

I've seen lots of the different nation state belt buckles, with the Prussian "God is with us" being the most common. I also see them sometimes for sale with part of the leather tab.

My question is, are the buckles able to be taken out and put on other belts? I assume the extra piece of leather belt tab that comes with some is beyond repair.

The leather tab was found on most pre or early war buckles, it is a plus, but the late war buckles were issued with out the tab. all German buckles are interchangeable with all belts (of course, this being an absolute statement, it is wrong as nothing is absolute

The Prussian buckle could be found in use with some of the other State's regiments, just as the Prussian Wappen can be found on helmets worn bot soldiers from other states, there were often shortages, and they made do with what they could get.
Best
Gus

**Chip M** · 01-23-2011, 06:56 PM

Originally posted by Gustaf B View Post

The leather tab was found on most pre or early war buckles, it is a plus, but the late war buckles were issued with out the tab.

Well, maybe some were, but I have seen no proof of that. To the contrary, I have (and I know you have) seen many buckles with 1917 and 1918 dated leather tabs.

Chip

**Gustaf B** · 01-23-2011, 09:08 PM

Hey Chip
If I am honest, I have not seen that many with the leather tab, and those that I have seen were early dates. The assumption that they were issued with out the tabs at the later dates comes from the surplus buckles that have shown up unissued, with out tabs, were these intended to be issued this way, or had the not been delivered to the leather works?
The next question, what were the tabs for? I can not for the life of me figure out any reason for the extra complexity in construction, other than some one convinced the German Military that they were needed, and I would suspect that it was the leather workers that would have done that.
Best
gus

**Chip M** · 01-24-2011, 10:02 PM

Gus,

I have four or five steel buckles with leather tabs dated either 1917 or 1918.

As far as the abundance of mint buckles without tabs, well, it is my understanding that these were found warehoused in the occupied area after the war and were distributed to the states by the federal government. I have seen the paperwork showing what was being offered. The point being, that they were never issued, so who is to say that they would have been issued that way, that is, without the leather tabs.

I too must admit that their usefulness escapes me and I don't imagine they lasted too long when worn. But considering that they were most likely made from scraps of leather, I doubt they were much effected by the overall leather shortage.

Best regards,
Chip

**Gustaf B** · 01-24-2011, 10:47 PM

Hey Chip,
I have enjoyed looking at small parts of your collection, mostly in Johan's books, you should catalogue it and publish a reference book, I will sign up for the first copy

Best
Gus

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