BACKGROUND: Although considered highly mobilized for its time the German army still utilized a great number of horses through-out WWII with the average infantry division containing roughly five thousand horses. In 1939 the German army also had fifteen, primarily horse-mounted, Cavalry regiments that were mainly tasked with tactical reconnaissance. Even though most of the Cavalry units were mechanized by 1940 they still utilized a large number of horses through-out the war. By 1943 the Germans were experiencing fuel and vehicle shortages which resulted in an increase in the number of horses utilized in the field. Cavalry personnel were basically equipped the same as the standard infantry personnel with the addition of specialized horse equipment. All mounted personnel were issued with a pair of saddle bags instead of the standard backpack or rucksack. Originally the Reichswehr, (National {Defence} Force, Circa 1919-1933), era M26 pattern saddle bags were issued until the M34 saddle bags were introduced on May 7TH 1934. The M34 saddle bags consisted of the right hand side bag designed for carrying the Cavalry troopers kit, the left hand side bag designed for carrying the accessories for the horse and a central coupling device. Both of the bags could be detached from the central coupling device and the right hand side Cavalry troopers bag could be utilized as a backpack as required when the owner was on foot. Of Note: A new, smaller set of saddle bags were introduced on February 15TH 1940 but all three versions were used through-out the war.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Brown leather saddlebag with a single, box shaped lid from which a single strap is reinforced stitched and mates to a single prong buckle underneath the bag. Under the flap, sewn to the front panel are three pockets measuring approximately 7cm tall. A single reinforced tab is to each side and two on the lid/flap. The leather is also embossed with a 1942 date and a manufacture mark . The pouch measures approximately 21cm x 21cm x 8cm.