The ammunition pouches for the
standard army rifle (the mauser model Kar 98k) were introduced in the
German Army in 1909.
The model used in the second World War however, was the 1911 type.
The difference between these 2 was that the model 1909 held more ammo (45
rounds) in comparison to the
model 1911 which held 30 rounds.
The ammo pouch was made of three
compartments. Each compartment held 2 five-round clips making a total of
30 rounds per pouch.
Every soldier received 2 pouches (except for some second line support
troops who only received one pouch), which makes a total of 60 rounds per
soldier.
The next pictures are a top view of
the middle compartment (opened) which is shown without clips, with one
clip and with two clips
The devider between the two clips which is present in most pouches is also
clearly visible
The pouches are made of brown or black pebbled leather (smooth leather ones also can be found sometimes) and sometimes brown ones can be found which are painted black. (An order was issued in July 1943 that all brown items had to be painted black)
Below the backside of a brown ammo pouch (manufacturer unreadable, but dated 1939)
Also there is a difference between early war pouches and late war pouches.
On the back side, the straps to secure the pouch to the belt are long , and are held by the same pins, which hold the front strap.
Below is a late war pouch (RB Nr. 0/0335/0018) which has the straps rivited to the back on the pouch at both ends
Also visible on these pictures is the D-ring which is used to secure the Y-Belt
There are two different kind of pouches: stitched (most pre- and early war) and riveted.
The
two sets below are both late war RB numbered types
Both sets are a pair of same numbered pouches, not easy to find.
According to the regulations the pouches had to be worn at distance of 3 cm from the belt buckle
