Type I (b) MP44 Pouch

Darn, fakers are getting good or collectors missed out on a bargin (sold for about $160 US including Shipping - not bad seeing that ATF sells their repro pouches for $250).

This pouch was for sale on Ebay (Austria).

If it was not for the excessive markings (2 WaA and 2 RBNr'x) and no noticable age on the stitching, I would think this pouch was real...maybe it was?

This pouch is almost text book. Typical WWII canvas cotton, recycled leather (vegetable dyed brown leather and pebbled black leather) and WWII vintage D rings and snaps. It even has a legit WaA for MP44 pouches (WaA14). Who knows if the RBNr checks out but the year does for a Type I (b) pouch (Reinforced bottom with six individual pockets).

As mentioned the aging on the pouch looks good, minus the stitching. Stange thing, is that I have see this on legit G43 pouches. The metal is oxidized, the leather has some staining, but the stitching is almost mint?

If anyone else has thoughts???




However, for the above reasons I think it was a very high quality copy.

They even used pebbled black leather,

Fake

fake aging, overall inconsistency in wear/aging. Slight differences in materials on originals. in the webbing, etc (IMHO) Also, RB number on leather belt loop looks wrong and ends in "1944" .

The easiest give away is the postwar Czech webbing on the d-rings. Thinking about it, maybe these are post war czech pouches, enhanced.

I would say fakes, fairly good ones but fakes. Reasons...

- No evidence of the cross strap on either pouch
- No rust staining from mags but rust on pins and leather flap straps? Artificial aging...
- Small accessory pouch is stitched way too high up on the side, should be lower so it does not interfere with the mag flap cover.
- Stitching on the back side of one pouch is way off, will a mag even fit in it?
- Sides of mag covers are machine stitched together to the top, these were typically hand sewn and stitched so they would clear the top of the mag. There is invariably a hand stitched wrap at the ends of the mag cover where the sides are stitched on (at green circles on the additional photo). Sides of flaps were typically multiple layers, to stiffen them from folding under when closed on the magazine and stitched all the way around.
- Leather on the inside of mag flaps was almost always installed with finished side down where it would contact the magazine. These are not.

The fakers are getting better so everyone beware!

Claus has a very similar set on his webpage:

http://claus.espeholt.dk/mp44_pouches.html

"4. Grey / brown canvas. Marked WaA142 and RBNr 0/1165/0014 on the leather.
The snap fasteners are made of brass by a Czech company (Koh-i-nor). The last photo gives a better impression of the color."

He believes that this "grey" set is legit WWII.

Similar poor stitching (on the back of the pouch and almost in the same place). Same poor positioning of the side pouch which holds the mag loading tool. Also notice the lack of straps.

Same faker? Or who knows, maybe these are enhanced post-war Czech pouches or WWII Czech produced pouches which were enhanced?

I trust Claus and I trust gergnotwen