WWI Magazine Pouch

Imperial Arms · 10-24-2003, 06:57 PM

Hello Harry,

Glad to see you back after your medical absence. I have tried to conduct some research on this ID since the last time we corresponded, but I have come up so far empty handed. I did find an image of the same marking on another collectors web site but he was unable to provide additional information.

It is my opinion that the magazine pouch was stamped with this large and unusual marking when the rig was intended to be sold on the commercial market or as surplus after the war - it is uncommon to find LP-08 rigs destined to the military during the war with markings both on the magazine pouch and the holster with different dates, which is the case with your rig. The fact that your LP-08 rig retains outstanding condition probably proves that it was unissued for wartime use and it did not go through ordinary channels.

I doubt that the HK0 mark with adjoining characters is a wartime markers stamp because it is more common to see holsters stamped in normal print with a markers name, the date and possibly a proof mark. This mark looks like a 'branding' mark which could have been suitable for a cattle ranch!

If I find out any other useful information, I shall drop you an e-mail.

Welcome back,
Albert

10-24-2003, 06:57 PM	#3
Imperial Arms Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Malta, EU Posts: 579 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Hello Harry, Glad to see you back after your medical absence. I have tried to conduct some research on this ID since the last time we corresponded, but I have come up so far empty handed. I did find an image of the same marking on another collectors web site but he was unable to provide additional information. It is my opinion that the magazine pouch was stamped with this large and unusual marking when the rig was intended to be sold on the commercial market or as surplus after the war - it is uncommon to find LP-08 rigs destined to the military during the war with markings both on the magazine pouch and the holster with different dates, which is the case with your rig. The fact that your LP-08 rig retains outstanding condition probably proves that it was unissued for wartime use and it did not go through ordinary channels. I doubt that the HK0 mark with adjoining characters is a wartime markers stamp because it is more common to see holsters stamped in normal print with a markers name, the date and possibly a proof mark. This mark looks like a 'branding' mark which could have been suitable for a cattle ranch! If I find out any other useful information, I shall drop you an e-mail. Welcome back, Albert