K98 bandoleer – Splitter B – Anton Kiefer 1942
The ammunition pouch for the K98 (Karabiner 98) bolt action rifle was executed in leather. Each soldier had two pouches which held 30 rounds each. The pouches where divided in 3 main compartments with a divider in each. The 7,92 x 57 mm ammunition was loaded on 5 round clips. Pre/early war the pouches where executed in brown leather, to be blackened and polished by the individual soldier. Some time early in the war (most) producers switched to blackening the leather pre production. Further simplifications occurred in 1943 when the pouches where further simplified. Some of these changes are the shortened loops for the belt and the use of rivets in stead of stitching or even combined. The back of the pouches have a D-ring to which the front hooks of the Y-strap would be attached.
Next to these leather K98 pouches a specialized bandoleer was developed for the German paratroopers or Fallschirmjäger. These bandoleers carried 20 5-round stripper clips totaling 100 rounds. Each clip had its own compartment secured with a small press stud. The Fallschirmjäger bandoleer saw a few developments through the war such as change of materials and design.
Model: Splitter-B bandoleer for paratroopers or Fallschirmjäger
Presstuds per flap: 1
Presstud marking: Stocko
Pattern or colour: Splitter-B Luftwaffe camouflage fabric
Marking: Anton Kiefer, Kuppenheim, 1942
Maker: Anton Kiefer, Kuppenheim.
Year: 1942
