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: Later pattern, ersatz, tan, rubberized fabric construction, two compartment, GW/K43 ammo pouches with a simulated, grained, leather finish and steel and leather fittings. Each compartment has a fold over, top flap with a vertical, leather closure strap with a single, cut-out, stud eyelet, machine stitched to the obverse. The closure straps attach to corresponding, leather reinforced, steel studs positioned on the front body of each compartment. The front of each compartment also has a machine stitched on, horizontal, leather retaining loop. The reverse of the pouches have two, machine stitched on, vertical leather loops and a central, rivetted on, leather reinforced, steel "D" ring. The machine stitched outer seams all have a narrow, dual-ply, reinforcement strip of fabric machine stitched in place. Maker marked and dated for 1945.