Ammo pouch query

[RJKG]

Just a couple of questions regarding the below ammo pouch:

The pouch is stamped to the rear with a circle containing a letter 'M', immediately surmounted by another circle containing a swastika (just visible immediately to the lower right of the leather 'D' ring retaining tab on the photo).I've been told that the letter 'M' denotes Kriegsmarine; would that be correct ?

Secondly, the outer pouches of each set contain two pieces of wood cut to shape to fit either side of the internal dividers. These are obviously designed to fill the pouches and retain their shape, but were these standard in all new pouches, or were they custom made to fit in the pouches for parade purposes, etc ?

Any suggestions welcomed.

[Höhe 112]

Just a couple of questions regarding the below ammo pouch:
The pouch is stamped to the rear with a circle containing a letter 'M', immediately surmounted by another circle containing a swastika (just visible immediately to the lower right of the leather 'D' ring retaining tab on the photo).I've been told that the letter 'M' denotes Kriegsmarine; would that be correct ?

It's often the "M" alone punched under the swastika that denotes Kriegsmarine but I'm not a KM guy so lets talk the experts for the M in a circle.

17960561_4.jpg

[sfmike1]

Yes..."M" denotes use by the Navy. Not sure about the wood blocks - they could have been made at any point.

SF Mike

[Willmore]

I’d call those bits of wood ‘pouch fillers’ for either re-enactment or display purposes. Randomly I’ve used empty cigarette packs to ‘fill out’ us airborne rigger pouches (personal display) so yeah that’s what I’d go with.

[glaser]

Your two circles stamp is 100% original KM and I agree on Willmore's comment about the wood blocks: ‘pouch fillers’ for either re-enactment or display purposes.

[kiler]

Secondly, the outer pouches of each set contain two pieces of wood cut to shape to fit either side of the internal dividers. These are obviously designed to fill the pouches and retain their shape, but were these standard in all new pouches, or were they custom made to fit in the pouches for parade purposes, etc ?

I’d call those bits of wood ‘pouch fillers’ for either re-enactment or display purposes. Randomly I’ve used empty cigarette packs to ‘fill out’ us airborne rigger pouches (personal display) so yeah that’s what I’d go with.

Some time ago I stumbled upon information, that according to service manuals, ammo pouches (when there is no ammunition in them at the moment, e.g. during the service in barracks) should be stuffed with wooden blocks in order to improve their appearance and prevent the pouches from their deformation. That is why I believe that this kind of wooden pouch fillers were issued to Landsers, although we will not find them on battlefields from obvious reasons (you should carry ammo there, not wood). What is more, the ones used in barracks probably were often used as a fuel for chimneys in the difficult post war times, so not many have survived.

I haven`t found the regulations concerning that kind of item (if anyone has please share), but probable shape of regular ones could be like in this picture below (from one of reenactor`s sites):

[RJKG]

Some time ago I stumbled upon information, that according to service manuals, ammo pouches (when there is no ammunition in them at the moment, e.g. during the service in barracks) should be stuffed with wooden blocks in order to improve their appearance and prevent the pouches from their deformation. That is why I believe that this kind of wooden pouch fillers were issued to Landsers, although we will not find them on battlefields from obvious reasons (you should carry ammo there, not wood). What is more, the ones used in barracks probably were often used as a fuel for chimneys in the difficult post war times, so not many have survived.

I haven`t found the regulations concerning that kind of item (if anyone has please share), but probable shape of regular ones could be like in this picture below (from one of reenactor`s sites):

Thanks for all the feedback regarding the pouches, and confirmation that they are Kriegsmarine.

I err towards accepting the above information to be correct as regards the wooden blocks. I've owned the pouches since i was a kid in the mid '70's, so think it unlikely that a re-enactor would have made the wooden inserts, as I don't believe there was any re-enacting back then, although I'm not sure.

They could have been made for display purposes, but there again, it would have been much easier to use alternatives, such as cardboard or paper stuffing.

I've always assumed that the blocks were original to the pouches, and the black polish residue on them certainly indicates that they've been in-situ when the pouches have been polished, although that doesn't really prove anything.

[timg]

Thanks for all the feedback regarding the pouches, and confirmation that they are Kriegsmarine.

I err towards accepting the above information to be correct as regards the wooden blocks. I've owned the pouches since i was a kid in the mid '70's, so think it unlikely that a re-enactor would have made the wooden inserts, as I don't believe there was any re-enacting back then, although I'm not sure.

They could have been made for display purposes, but there again, it would have been much easier to use alternatives, such as cardboard or paper stuffing.

I've always assumed that the blocks were original to the pouches, and the black polish residue on them certainly indicates that they've been in-situ when the pouches have been polished, although that doesn't really prove anything.

Well, truth be told basic training was actually super bull ****ty. Even though mine was in 79 we still had 37 Pattern issued. This had to be black (which kind off kills comments of " its black it must have been commando webbing" )
Brasses were polished, unless in the field then they were blackened, and re polished on return. Kit layout was a monster as it all had to be squared off so we did use anything that would do it, wood sheet, card .......anything to keep out of the crap. Wood blocks in pouches......not beyond the realm of man as good ideas don't go away.

[kiler]

I err towards accepting the above information to be correct as regards the wooden blocks. I've owned the pouches since i was a kid in the mid '70's, so think it unlikely that a re-enactor would have made the wooden inserts, as I don't believe there was any re-enacting back then, although I'm not sure.

I`m not sure if we understood each other correctly: I never stated that your wooden inserts are of reenacting origin. I just posted the photo of reenacting copies because I don`t own any photos of original issue inserts. My point was that there were regular inserts issued to Landsers during their stay at the barracks and they probably looked liked the copies from the picture I attached (when concerning the shape and the cloth loop for easier extraction). Your inserts do not resemble them in shape and lack the loop so probably they were self-made by the user at some point (during or post-war) and not issued by military surplus.

[me6_130]

It had never occurred to me that they used inserts to keep pouches in shape but sounds very logical. I used newspaper to fill them. Original wooden inserts must be difficult to come across. I do have some for my boots.

Carles