K98 Pouches - singles - period or not?

[Danmark]

The iconic three-section K98 ammunition pouch, the one piece of German infantry kit that has remained relatively affordable over the years.

Everyone seems to have one in their collection ( even as a background item in a display ) and for those who collect them, there are many subtle variations in leather, fittings and makers to allow for a specialised study of the item.

One of the disputed versions is the so-called "single pouch" - not often seen, and I know of none in period photos, the standard line is usually "issued to rear guard troops".

They appear to be an end pouch cut from the triple and a few have turned up over the years I have been collecting ( I have one ) dealers too have offered them - the one below is from "the collector's Guild"



But I always wondered if they were done in more recent years to double the quantity of saleable pouches while touting some line about " rare Stalag prison guard pouches"!!!

But I came across this relic for sale on line .... and while I'm not in the market for another, I'm now convinced they DID exist!



Who exactly used them and why, and if it was an issued item or not ( cutting up a pouch without permission would be VERBOTEN! )

I thought you equipment fellas would like a PERIOD example to help try and settle the argument?

[MAP]

Would love to hear what people think Dan. I picked up an excellent condition single pouch a few years back. It was purchased by a friend at a garage sale or something like that, so don't think it was hacked apart to make a profit. Maybe done by a vet to carry ammo for his sporterized K98 to hunt white tails!

[reneblacky]

Have to be a good shot with a 98 to hit a nasty White tail!!!

[Danmark]

Have to be a good shot with a 98 to hit a nasty White tail!!!

he he..... good one Rene!
Better put our Northern friends out of their confusion.

[MAP]

Ahhhhhh...

[reneblacky]

Doubt the flap would be mfg'd this way if a single.
Had one of the bugger spiders look me in the eyeballs (eye level) 5am on the bathroom window ledge whist on the loo the other morning!!! foolishly saved him though!!

[Danmark]

OK, so back on track

Finding that relic single pouch online proved ( to me ) that they did exist but I'm still not convinced that they DIDN'T purposely make a single pouch.
Here is my "single" to plead my case - it looks to me like it was individually made as normally with a triple pouch the stitching at the top and bottom runs completely across the 3 sections as per the below example.



but with my one I cannot see evidence of a continuing stitch - which you should see if it were cut off a normal pouch. The stitching clearly turns the corner rather than continuing on! The edges / sides show no real evidence of being cut and are quite smooth and even.



The owner also quite neatly removed the rawhide divider, removing also the rivets.... this was a well used functioning pouch in it's day.

[aghsmac1]

If I can help with your thread, this is one of mine and i tried to take detailed pictures. Looks like German to me but I'm not sure and I don't know where it could have been used.
Regards, Aghs

[MAP]

Here is mine Dan. I found the thread. A vet bring back based on the markings. Consensus was that it was cut down. But when?????

Very Interesting Tan Ammo Pouch

[Danmark]

Thanks AGHS and MAP!! ...... Michael, I can see JP & Tom's point as yours seems to be "angular" but AGSH's one ( like mine ) is quite straight -see how they don't look like they have been just cut off a set? There are no blatant cut lines on the leather - well burnished and radiused, etc.....

...h'mm, any other contributors out there?