Ultimate G43 / K43 Pouch Discussion

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

reverse

makers mark

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

makers mark

Next up is a FUQ 1945 with brown leather belt loops with brown leather trim. The closure straps are however black pebbled leather. This one is also made of reinforced canvas which is very smooth. The makers mark is again impressed into the belt loop.

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

Next up is a FUQ 1945 with brown leather belt loops with brown leather trim. The closure straps are however black pebbled leather. This one is also made of reinforced canvas which is very smooth. The makers mark is again impressed into the belt loop.

reverse

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

reverse

makers mark

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

makers mark

This next pouch is also made of rubberized canvas and exhibits brown leather trim throughout. The difference being that this pouch has ersatz green fabric belt loops and the makers mark is stamped with white ink.

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

This next pouch is also made of rubberized canvas and exhibits brown leather trim throughout. The difference being that this pouch has ersatz green fabric belt loops and the makers mark is stamped with white ink.

reverse

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

reverse

MM

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

MM

I could continue with more variations, but I think we all get the idea and I don't want to make the mods mad. Many more variations also exist, fell free to post your pouches. The two websites Michael posted are great resources as well. I hope these pics help some to better understand the enigma that these pouches have become! Jeff

[MGN]

Key Terms

Here are some terms I am having a bit of trouble with when it comes to pouches: Can anyone tell me what they are?

Presstoff?

Vinyl?

Oil cloth?

[kmh]

Hi

It look's like G43 pouches for some reason are commonly made "into a degree" of the mentioned materials! While we are in the subject! I often have wonder why I never have seen/found K98 pouches in simillar materials? Even made in 44 or 45 they always are found produced in leather only?? Can someone explain that to me?<O</O
Presstoff: Is pressed paper glued together with a kind of treated surface to resist (to a sudden limit) wear and tear plus water!
Vinyl: A plastic material like the old records plate they was made of Vinyl.<O
Oilcloth: IMO is the same material as the early gas cape bags are made off and simillar to all weather MC equipment.

Regards
Kim<O

[MartyC]

poiuch

MGN and Jeff, thank you for an incredible thread that will be a great reference!! Jeff, your collection of pouches is truly impressive!

Marty

[MGN]

So the correct name for the material in the pouches Jeff has is ersatz leather?

Michael

[kmh]

Hi MGN

You can't say it like that! That depends of the actual pouch but you could in generel terms call all other kind of materiel different to leather for "Ersatz" if leather was the preferred material!!

I must say I am not knowledably why the chosen material for G43 pouches from time to time wasen't leather I only wonder why they choose "Ersatz" for the pouches when leather still was easy to order.

Maybe some brigth new idea from the WAa inspectors? Testing new materials.

I don't know.

Kim

[MGN]

We here in the US call thin leather like in the tan pouch ersatz leather. Its not the like leather used for k98pouches. Although you do bring up a good point in why we dont see k98 pouches in other materials. I have seen and know many other collectors have as well k98 pouches dated late 44 or 45 out of thin leather. Ersatz leather.

Michael

[kmh]

MGN

Well I would be pleased to see such pouches made out of so called "Ersatz" if we are speaking of material different to leather. Because I have never seen such exampels to date! Even not in the various forums I normally look into.
My only knowledge about K98 pouches is that they are made of regid black leather both in the sewn and the riveted form/construction all the way until 1945. Well (again) some pouches are poorly thin/sloppy made but conform still to the original specifications.

Kim