Designed for use in conjunction with the Nazi MP-series of 9mm submachine guns, these pouches are designed to carry six loaded SMG stick magazines and a loading tool and are often seen in photographs of German Fallschirmjaegers, occasionally armored crew members, and most famously associated with the paratroopers assigned to the Crete assault, Nazi Germany's first (and last) large-scale airborne infantry assault. Overall construction is blue/black canvas, with a single flap secured with two metal-tipped canvas straps and a set of leather-reinforced steel eyes, with a small side pouch for carrying a reloading tool, a pair of drab green belt loops with d-rings at the top, and a detachable shoulder strap to aid in load-bearing. The back is marked in white paint "MP.38u.40", and the inside of the flap is marked with a Nazi eagle in a rectangle and some manner of inventory/size marking which has become illegible. All six included magazines are "M.P.38u.40" marked with a full blue finish and assorted "Nazi eagle/WaA" proofs. The loading tool is not included. Formerly of the George Petersen collection. Similar examples pictured and described in the books "Soldat" by Mason and "German Paratroops in North Africa" b Hodgin.

Very good, with some light wear and staining of the canvas. Structurally everything looks and feels solid, none of the stitching is worn, and all of the flaps and straps are in good order. Some light brown oxidization is present where the magazines contacted the flap, but no rust is visible on the magazines themselves. While not test loaded, the magazine springs appear to be applying good pressure to the follower. A rare piece of Axis militaria, which can be a fine addition to a WWII collection on its own, a superb companion piece to a live or dewat/reproduction MP-series SMG, or just the thing to complete a Crete-era Fallshirmjaeger combat gear set.