Brown K98 Pouches

[sfmike1]

Does anyone know.......why Germany would produce these natural color K98 pouches late in the war? This is an unissued-looking matching set with RBNr. 0/0396/0027, of a type which is occasionally seen (same as in the Augustin Sàiz book). All steel hardware (which looks to have been "Russian" painted black at some point, them stripped). No LBA or other markings internally.

SF Mike

[sfmike1]

No ideas?

[Grubhy]

Mike, RBNr has been introduced in 1942, construction of your pouches is typical for mid war pouches, latest pattern were marde with riveted flaps. What makes You think that are late war? IMHO these were made as sort of Einheit (for LW or easy to blackend for Herr issue).

[anmarlodz]

IMHO these were made as sort of Einheit (for LW or easy to blackend for Herr issue).

Or for troops in North Africa as they were using natural brown pouches.

[Erik]

These are from a whole bunch of Russian captured stock that has come available the last few years. All with the same Rbn. I have seen one with LBA markings once. These could have been also used by Gendarmerie troops as all their leather gear was basicly in brown for the duration of the war (belt, loops on breadbag, fieldbottle straps etc).

Erik

[sfmike1]

Thanks All - some good ideas. It has always been my understanding that RBNr's started being used on equipment in mid 1943. (I know the order was late '42).
Can anyone comment on that?

[sfmike1]

Another pair that was for sale - same mentioned.

http://www.ardennes44.com/en/items/e...tm#prettyPhoto

[sfmike1]

These are from a whole bunch of Russian captured stock that has come available the last few years. All with the same Rbn. I have seen one with LBA markings once. These could have been also used by Gendarmerie troops as all their leather gear was basicly in brown for the duration of the war (belt, loops on breadbag, fieldbottle straps etc).

Erik

Can anyone identify which Police units used brown gear (as Erik mentions above)? Feld polizei? Anyone have a photo of these in use?
(The thread was in reference to the brown pouches shown).
SF Mike

[Grubhy]

As far I know Police issue gear is coloured in "havana braun" (period name for that collour used by makers). Yours were left natural, not Police, rather Einheit mid 1942.

[sfmike1]

Thanks Grubhy!

[timothy downum]

I too agree that the resemble the natural brown used in AK and tropics don't have a answer for you may have been left over stock used up. US pouches had sometimes in mid war tan flaps on green bottoms maybe Germans did same thing with pouches. Not all Luft pouches had LBA marks but the ones I own and have seen are a darker brown and either stamped with LBA or a unit in the flap ink stamped. Defintely original pouches without a doubt; and a nice set! timothy