MP 40 - 3rd Time Around

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[djpool]

MP 40 Pouches

Hi Scott,

The one on the right with black straps on the back looks good to me. I was reading on another site from a very knowledgeable collector that the straps with ridges along the sides are fake. Same type of straps seen on the front of your left hand pouch. I really don't know myself.Jim

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[djpool]

MP 40 pouches

Hi Scott,

I pulled out my pouches for comparison. I have 3 singles. One is an exact, I mean exact match of the one on the right( combination brown/black leather).Only difference is mines a bit more worn and its harder to read the markings on the back. I've never had anyone tell me they're not real (SO FAR AT LEAST).We could both get a surprise ha,ha.

Its Claus Espeholts site on K43s where I got the statement that the Germans didn't use straps with the lines on either side.At least for ammo pouches. However I pulled up the following thread on MP 40 pouches where the pouches have been with the family since the war.it has the lines running down the closure straps. From looking at his pouches I have little doubt they're real.

http://daggers.infopop.net/2/OpenTop...986#1333008986

However as I look at the pouch on the left the construction just doesn't seem as good and the thread looks awfully white.Of course it could just be the picture itself. So I'm not totally convinced about that one yet.Regards jim

[John Hodgin]

Is this a test?

Hello Jim,

Please disregard what you read on that other site about lines or ridges on MP 38/40 pouch straps. Whoever said that the straps on authentic pouches don't have ridges or lines along the side does not have any idea what they are talking about.

German WW II sun helmet chin straps can have lines or ridges along the sides.

German WW II equipment straps can have lines or ridges along the sides.

German WW II water bottle straps can have lines along the sides....

German WW II belt tongues and buckle tabs can have lines on the sides....

German WW II leather lanyards can have lines along the sides....

German WW II binocular staps can have lines along the sides....

German WW II weapons slings have lines along the sides....

AND German WW II MP 38/40 pouch straps CAN HAVE lines or ridges along the sides!

It is true that there are super repros of 38/40 pouches out there, and these too have lines/ridges along the strap's edges. SO, in fact, these lines or ridges are useless in judging if the pouches are authentic or not. It is also true, depending on the manufacturer, that SOME authentic 38/40 pouch straps DON'T have lines, and many have lines that are very faint.

Scott, judging from the photos, I won't say either of the green pouches are bad, but like Jim, I am bothered by the pure white thread of the set on the left. They look a lot like the best reproductions. Please post some details of the markings when time permits.

Regards,
John

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