Original German WWII 1943 Dated Matched Pair of MP 40 Tropical Afrika Korps Magazine Pouches by Ernst Melzig
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Original Items. Only One Pair Available. This is a very good lightly service-used matching left-and-right pair of original German WWII MP38/40 triple magazine pouches, manufactured in 1943 by Ernst Melzig Lederwaren of Liegnitz. Both pouches are constructed from tan web material with blackened leather fittings and carry matching clg 43 / MP 38 u. 40 markings together with Waffenamt inspection stamps. The left-hand pouch retains the additional smaller compartment intended for the MP38/40 magazine-loading tool. The similarity of the material, stitching, maker, date, and markings makes these an excellent matched pair.
Each pouch contains three separate vertical cells, providing space for three 32-round MP38 or MP40 magazines, for a total of six magazines when the pair was worn together. The left-hand pouch also carries the characteristic smaller accessory pocket for the magazine-loading tool. Original examples are documented in precisely this left-and-right configuration, with three magazine cells per pouch and the loader compartment confined to the left side.
The leather belt loops on the back of the pouches are well marked with the maker, date, and model of magazine it was designed for:
clg 43
MP 38 u. 40
There are also Waffenamt WaAB66 inspection stamps next to the maker code on both sides, which records indicate is the correct code for this maker. The leather components are still in great shape, mostly soft and pliable, and there are even still traces of the original markings on the canvas that indicated where the stitches were to be placed. There are pieces of cardboard inserted into the slots to give the pouches form.
Construction is typical of documented Ernst Melzig pouches of this period. The body is made from tan woven material with blackened leather closure straps, belt loops, and associated reinforcement pieces. The rectangular stitching visible around the bottoms of the magazine cells is also encountered on surviving clg-marked examples and is a useful construction characteristic of this manufacturer. Specialist documentation of clg 43 pouches also records visible red or colored guide lines used during fabrication to position stitching and fittings.
The MP40 itself developed from the earlier MP38 and became one of the principal German submachine guns of WWII. Both weapons used the same 32-round detachable box magazine, explaining the wartime pouch marking MP 38 u. 40. The pouches were issued as complementary left-and-right pieces, normally giving the wearer six magazine cells together with the loader compartment on the left pouch.
This is a particularly strong surviving pair because both pouches share the same clg 43 Ernst Melzig manufacture, tan web construction, leather fittings, Waffenamt inspection markings, and characteristic stitching details. The surviving loader pocket, complete studs, pliable leather, faint manufacturing guide marks, and lightly used condition preserve the principal features collectors look for in an original matched MP38/40 pouch set.
- This product is available for international shipping. Shipping not available to: Australia, France, or Germany
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
- Due to legal restrictions this item cannot be shipped to Australia, France or Germany. This is not a comprehensive list and other countries may be added in the future.
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