Authentic reproduction of WWI Imperial German Army leather cartridge pouches, issued to infantry for carrying 7.92mm Mauser rifle ammunition. Crafted in heavy blackened/browned leather with brass or steel fittings, each pouch holds multiple stripper clips. Standard issue for German soldiers throughout the Great War.
The cartridge pouch (Patronentasche) was one of the most important items of field equipment carried by every German infantryman of the First World War. Designed to carry rifle ammunition securely in battle conditions, these pouches were worn on the front of the waist belt in pairs, giving soldiers immediate access to their cartridges when loading the standard-issue Gewehr 98 rifle.
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Historical Accuracy: Based on original wartime designs and constructed from authentic materials.
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Material: Heavy vegetable-tanned leather, blackened or dark brown, with reinforced stitching.
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Design Features:
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Standard set consisted of two pouches, worn left and right of the belt buckle
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Each pouch divided into three compartments, each holding two five-round stripper clips (total capacity: 30 rounds per pouch, 60 rounds per set)
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Secured by leather flaps with strap-and-stud fastenings
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Brass or steel fittings, depending on production year and availability
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Usage:
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Worn by infantry, stormtroopers, and machine-gun crews as part of the basic leather equipment set
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Essential for maintaining a steady supply of ammunition during combat
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Typically paired with the breadbag, bayonet frog, water bottle, and entrenching tool on the soldier’s waist belt
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Historical Context: Introduced before the war and standardized during 1914–18, the cartridge pouch was a symbol of the German infantryman’s loadout. Simple, rugged, and reliable, it remained in service into the early postwar years.
Perfect for reenactors, collectors, museums, and historical displays, these cartridge pouches provide an authentic representation of the German soldier’s field gear during World War I.
