BACKGROUND: Although development of a Selbstladegewehr, (Semiautomatic rifle), had been undertaken by German armament factories as early as 1908, it wasn’t until the invasion of Russia in 1941, when the Germans came up against Russians armed with the quick firing Tokarev semiautomatic rifles that the Heeresfeldzeugmeisterei, (Army Ordnance Department), issued an urgent request for a comparable weapon. This led to the development of the Selbstladegewehr 41 in 1941 which, with modifications, evolved into the Gewehr 43 and eventually the Karabiner 43 in 1943. The Gewehr 43 and Karabiner 43 were basically improved modification of the Selbstladegewehr 41. The GW41 and later the GW/K43's were all semi-automatic gas operated weapons with muzzle or barrel vents. The compressed combustion gasses activated the internal components when the weapons were fired. Individuals issued with the GW/K43 were also equipped with a single, specially designed, dual compartment, ammunition pouch which held two ten round magazines of 7.92mm ammunition and was designed to be worn on the individuals load carrying waist belt. Originally the GW/K43 ammo pouches were constructed in blackened leather which was soon altered to ersatz fabrics in order to conserve leather.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 10cm tall, 20cm wide, 35mm thick, early pattern, natural tan, leather construction, two compartment GW/K43 ammo pouch with steel fittings. Each compartment has a fold over, top flap with machine stitched seams, a vertical, leather closure strap with a single, cut-out, stud eyelet machine stitched to the obverse. The closure straps attach to corresponding, steel studs positioned on the bottom edge of each compartment. The reverse of the pouch has two, machine stitched on, vertical, leather, belt loops and a central, rivetted on, leather reinforced steel "D" ring. The front body of one compartment is well marked with a faint, impressed waffen-amt and the manufacturer’s three letter code and date that appears to be, "cny 44", indicating manufacture by C. Pose Wehrausrüstungen of Berlin in 1944.